09 Jul 2023

Government is committed to improving road network throughout the country, to connect communities, improve access to production areas and open up new opportunities for economic and social development.

Speaking during an occasion of the signing of a contract for Mahalapye-Radisele road in Tewane on July 7, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale said, in line with the President’s Reset Agenda, the ministry introduced a new initiative of signing contracts in a transparent manner, to ensure completion of projects on time, within cost and desirable quality.

He said contract signing, with stakeholder engagement was an integral part of a high performance culture.

Mr Molale said asphalt overlay of the 44km Mahalapye – Radisele road that would include resealing of access roads for Tewane (6km), Mogome (10km) and Radisele kgotla (500m) was awarded to Evolution Engineers at a cost of P106m.

The duration of the project is 12 months and the expected completion date is July 2024.

“Government has done its part by sourcing funding for maintenance of this road. I call upon the contractor and other stakeholders to do their part to ensure that the road gets completed on time. I call upon the contractor to engender good relations with community that they serve ,” said Minister Molale.

He said such projects were meant to create jobs more especially for youth, ease doing  business, connect communities and improve quality of life for all citizens through provision of quality infrastructure.

Mr Molale said government wanted to improve access and equal opportunities for citizens through development of high performance culture, by ensuring transparency in procurement, fair participation in project implementation and equitable spatial spread of projects across the country as well as stakeholders. He therefore urged the roads department to respond quickly to any queries reported by contractors, to avoid delay and other expenses not budgeted for.

Evolution Engineers director, Mr Trinity Dialwa promised to deliver quality work on time.

He said the company would hire at least 130 employees residing in Tewane, Mogome, Radisele and Mahalapye.

Mr Dialwa said local contractors were grateful to government for not giving up on them.

He said the project would help them create employment for others.

Mahalapye West MP, Mr David Tshere encouraged the contractor to give back to the community as such projects were meant to improve lives and develop villages.

ENDS