13 Jun 2024

Government plans to set up a dry port at Mosetse while awaiting the construction of a railway line from Kazungula to Livingstone.

Addressing a kgotla meeting in Nata on Wednesday, Minister of Transport and Public Works, Mr Eric Molale, provided an update to residents on the progress of the reconstruction of the A3 road. Mr Molale emphasised that the A3 road witnessed a high volume of traffic with trucks transiting from South Africa and other parts of Africa.

The minister highlighted that these trucks contributed to the road’s wear and tear, leading to a high number of fatal accidents. To address these challenges, he said, the ministry, in collaboration with Botswana Railways, had initiated discussions with Zambian authorities to establish a dry port at Mosetse. The dry port he said,  would serve as a designated offloading and loading point for trucks traveling to and from various parts of Africa.

Mr Molale said that the establishment of a dry port would not only reduce road damages but also help mitigate accidents caused by fatigue among truck drivers covering long distances without adequate rest. 

The minister further announced that significant progress had been made towards the construction of the railway line, with a Memorandum of Agreement already signed with Zambian counterparts.

Furthermore, in response to concerns raised by Batswana regarding tenders awarded to foreign companies delivering substandard work and disappearing, Minister Molale disclosed that the ministry has undergone restructuring. Going forward, all government projects will be supervised by Development Managers (DMs) who are local individuals. These DMs will oversee and coordinate all projects to ensure quality and timely completion.

As part of the government’s commitment to infrastructural development, the Ministry of Transport and Public Works is set to embark on projects totaling P13 billion in the current financial year across the country. These projects, according to Minister Molale included road networks and the construction of hospitals, such as the Kasane and new Tutume hospitals. 

He also stated that supervision of the projects would be entrusted to Development Managers. This shift in oversight, he said was intended to expedite project implementation within specified timelines and budgets.

Still at the meeting, Kgosi Justice Ntuane of Nata urged the minister to consider transforming the new road into a dual-carriage way at all three entry points into the village from Francistown, Maun, and Kasane. Minister Molale assured the community leader that designs would include designated loader points at these entryway to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow within the village. Ends