14 Dec 2023

 Funds have been availed to help address deteriorating sections and spots  on some roads in the Ghanzi North constituency and contractors have already been engaged.

The Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale informed Parliament that the Ghanzi-Qabo road had been awarded P5 million for dry-grading fortnightly and that a 3.8km section of the road would be spot-improved.

“The project commenced in August this year and it is expected to be completed in July next year. Spot improvements are expected to start in March next year,” he said.

Mr Molale said the Ghanzi-Grootlaagte road was awarded P5.6 million for dry-grading and that 5.2km of the stretch would be spot improved.

He said works would include installation of culverts in low-lying areas, adding that the project started in November and would take a year.

Concerning the New Xade Junction-New Xade road, Mr Molale said it was awarded a contract sum of P5 million and would be spot improved on a 4km stretch while the rest would be fortnightly dry-graded.

“The project started in August this year and works are expected to be completed next year in July,” he said.

He said the three tenders could have started earlier, but were delayed following queries by all concerned bidders, which were ultimately solved and the awards made.

He, however, said the gravelling of the Ghanzi-East/West Hanahai and Bere-Kacgae roads had not been outsourced due to budgetary constraints.

He said in the meanwhile, the ministry's in-house team continued to dry-grade them fortnightly for this financial year.

Additionally, Mr Molale explained that the decision on whether to dry-grade or spot improve was normally informed by an assessment by the Department of Roads.

“After this assessment regional managers meet and prioritise the most deteriorated roads and the recommendations are then shared with the permanent secretary prior to inclusion in the procurement plan,” he said.

Ghanzi North legislator, Mr John Thiite had wanted to know what the ministry was doing about the deteriorating roads in his constituency, such as the Ghanzi-Qabo, Ghanzi-Grootlaagte, Bere/Kacgae access roads, Ghanzi-East/West Hanahai roads and New Xade junction-New Xade road. ends