27 Mar 2023

Members of Parliament have appealed to government to prioritise development of roads connecting production areas and potential markets.

Contributing to the debate on the 2023/2024 financial year proposed budget for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works recently, Ghanzi South MP, Mr Motsamai Motsamai said the status of roads in the country was a serious concern. Mr Motsamai said road works including maintenance and expansion of the current network of tarred roads must therefore be prioritised.

He said Ghanzi was a hub of livestock production and hence as a production area, its roads networks must be put in good shape. He added that the road connecting Ncojane and the Trans Kalahari corridor as well as Xade Ghanzi were among those in his constituency that needed maintenance. 

“The roads are not only connecting villages, but pass through production areas,” he said.

Kgalagadi North MP, Ms Talita Monnakgotla was concerned about the bad state of the gravel roads in the constituency, which she said were hardily maintained while most of the locations in the area were also less developed.

She said communities heavily relied on agriculture, therefore appealed for the roads to be in good shape to ease movement of people from villages to cattle posts and other production areas.

Ms Monnakgotla said among the many roads in her constituency that needed urgent attention was that from Hukuntsi to Zutshwa road, which she said linked her constituency with Kgalagadi South and Ghanzi areas, while Zutshwa was frequently visited because of the salt mining project.

Shashe West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao was also concerned about the roads situation in his constituency, particularly the one linking villages of Mandunyane, Makobo, Natale and Mathangwane, which he said was badly affected.

Mr Molao said another road of major concern was the Francistown-Maun road. He advised government to consider turning it into dual carriage.

 He added that one of the roads that was in dire need of maintenance was the Francistown-Orapa road.

For his part, MP Caterpillar Hikuama of Ngami emphasised the need for government to improve on the quality of works when developing roads. Mr Hikuama observed that sub-standard works were costing government through regular maintenance. 

He said the Maun-Mohembo road was dilapidated. 

He said groundbreaking for the Gumare-Sepopa had been done but the project was failing to start.

Okavango legislator, Mr Kenny Kapinga said availability of infrastructure was used to determine the level of development in some areas. 

Mr Kapinga said Okavango was lagging behind in infrastructure development. 

“We want improved road networks,” he said.

He challenged the minister to enforce authority and ensure that infrastructural development were done in accordance with the set scope in order to serve the intended purpose. 

 

He said the Mohembo-Gudigwa had regressed from gravel road to a dirty road as the gravel that was placed on the road surface had been completely removed.

Responding to legislators’ comments, Minister Eric Molale concurred that infrastructural development was the backbone of the economy and therefore it must be done accordingly and serve purpose. 

“I am aware of the roads situation in Kgalagadi, Letlhakeng and Ghanzi,” he said.

Mr Molale said though appreciating that some roads maintenance works were not done on time, due to financial constraints, lack of supervision and failure to follow laid down processes also resulted in failure to complete ongoing projects or deliver substandard works. ENDS