12 Jul 2023

Ministry of Finance, through BURS, has initiated the Martins Drift development project to expand border facilities to withstand increasing traffic volumes, says Minister of Entrepreneurship, Mr Karabo Gare.

Answering a parliamentary question on behalf of Minister of Finance, Mr Gare said the Martins Drift border was a key border post that facilitated the flow of trade and persons into Botswana and other parts of the African continent.

He added that it formed an integral part of ongoing efforts to have a meaningful participation in the African Continental Free Trade Area.

He said the project faced challenges of land ownership, but said they have been addressed.

“In this regard, BURS is in the process of registering the land title, a process which is expected to be completed by December 2023,” he said.

With regard to operating the border on a 24 hour basis, the minister said it was government’s desire to operate all commercial border posts on a 24 hour basis, but that the country could not take such steps without consulting neighbours.

He said Botswana would, through the Bi-National Commission meetings with South Africa, put the matter on the agenda and propose to operate the border post round the clock.

Mr Gare said the same applied when it came to designating border posts into a one-stop border post.

“In pursuit of the above, therefore, efforts will be made not only for Martins Drift Border Post, but also for all other commercial border posts to turn them into OSBPs,” he said.

Sefhare-Ramokgonami MP, Dr Kesitegile Gobotswang, had asked the finance minister on the upgrading of the Martins Drift Border Post in the spirit of the African Continental Free Trade Area aimed at expanding regional integration and trade across southern Africa.

He further asked the minister to state if there were any plans to operate the border post 24 hours a day given the planned upgrading of Martins Drift Bridge and the build-up of trucks as well as tourists waiting to cross the border.

The MP also asked if the minister would consider a one-stop border post similar to the one that was operational in Kazungula. ENDS