21 Dec 2022

Government will invest in strategic transportation infrastructure projects to better link the country with others in Southern Africa and boost economic prospects, the Minister of Transport and Public Works Mr Eric Molale has said.

Presenting his ministry budget estimates of approximately P9.8 billion to be used for projects and programmes during the implementation of the Transitional National Development Plan (TNDP) on Monday, Mr Molale said the investment would focus on road and rail links to boost trade.

He said Kazungula and Mohembo Bridges were crucial and expected to reduce transit times and improve connectivity.

He said the Kazungula Bridge, which connected Botswana and Zambia across the Zambezi River has improved trade volumes at the Kazungula One Stop Border which was constructed as part of the bridge project.

“This has resulted in revenue collection through the tolling of traffic using the bridge. My Ministry is working tirelessly to complete the setting up of the Kazungula Bridge Authority jointly with Zambia for the seamless management of the assets,” Mr Molale said.

He further said that preparations were ongoing for the implementation Roadmap for the Trans-Kalahari rail link which would connect Botswana to the western coast, thus providing alternative access to the international markets for Botswana products through the Walvis Bay Port.

He added that Botswana Railways (BR) had negotiated a working agreement with the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) which had been signed and was operational while another with Transnet Freight Rail of South Africa was yet to be signed.

Mr Molale said the agreement with Zimbabwe entailed BR trains going through to Bulawayo and also transiting to Mozambique as opposed to returning at Plumtree.

“The Transfer Agreement, once signed will see BR trains to South Africa not terminating at Mahikeng but proceeding to final destinations,” he said.

The minister also revealed that an off-taker in South Africa had engaged BR to transport coal from Hwange in Zimbabwe to South Africa.

Mr Molale said as part of Air Botswana turnaround strategy, the organisation has formulated some value-chain development oriented projects aimed at revenue diversification and financial sustainability of the airline.He said the refurbishment and construction of roads were ongoing countrywide and after the completion of the Gaborone–Boatle road, the Lobatse-Boatle road would be constructed as a continuation of the Ramatlabama to Ramokgwebana A1 road dual carriageway.

“The face-lifting of Greater Gaborone Roads Network will also continue with the upgrading of three grade intersections along the KT Motsete Drive (Western Bypass), traffic signal modernisation and centralised traffic control for Greater Gaborone expected to be complete by the end of the current financial year,” Mr Molale said.

Other proposed upcoming projects include Access to Central Business District (CBD), Greater Gaborone Transport Project and conceptual designs for three grade-separated interchanges at Molapo Crossing, Block 8 Traffic Circle and Airport Junction.

To decongest the main roads within the peripheries of Molepolole, Mr Molale said a 12 km Molepolole Bypass has been proposed for construction.

“To further facilitate trade and movement of goods and people, new projects have been proposed. These are Modipane-Mabalane, Medie-Lentsweletau-Tshele, Mandunyane-Mathangwane, Makalamabedi-Motopi, Mmathethe-Tswaaneng-Bray-Werda, and Goodhope-Kgoro-Gathwane,” the minister stated. Ends