26 Oct 2023

Construction of Lobatse-Kanye road, whose process is currently at tender stage is expected to commence next year, Minister of Transport and Public Works Mr Eric Molale has said.

Minister Molale, who was speaking  at a kgotla meeting addressed by President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi in Kanye on October 26, said the project, which targeted Trans Kalahari stretch from Lobatse to Sejelo junction in Kanye, would also include access roads for villages such as Molapowabojang and Lotlhakane East.

“This is an old road built before we had the access roads policy, hence we will now include them in this new project,” Mr Molale explained.

Further, he said the project would extend to Sejelo and expand the junction which was initially part of the Mmankgodi-Jwaneng Road that was done through the Output and Performance-based Road Contract (OPRC). He said the  expansion would ensure free flow of traffic at the junction while at the same time enhancing safety for road users.

On other issues, the minister noted that the process of constructing a 150-bed hospital in Kanye had commenced and the contractor engaged. He, however discouraged suggestions by residents calling for a review of the allocated plot.

“Plans have already been made and the contractor has visited the site, hence engaging in further consultations about the location will delay progress. In addition, we are told the alternative plot suggested is water logged and does not provide enough space for a hospital of that magnitude,” he said.

Mr Molale said the project came with staff houses, which would alleviate shortage of accommodation for public officers. Additionally, he said Botswana Housing Corporation had been allocated a plot to construct houses in Kanye. However, he implored residents to build residential houses to lease to government institutions.

Giving an overview, Kanye Umbrella Village Development Commitee chairperson, Ms Gaontebale Lenong requested that the impending hospital should be earmarked as centre of excellence for specialised services such as oncology. She said the identified location was not accessible to most residents hence resulting in cost implications.

One resident, Mr Makgekgenene Kwape expressed concern that the new hospital would be located far from the village. He underscored the need to consider factors such as affordability and accessibility during  selection of  locations for such services, especially for people with disabilities.

“As people with disabilities we have a challenge when accessing such essential services because we spend a lot of money due to the long distance,” he said. Ends