12 Jan 2026

Minister for State President, Defence and Security, Mr Moeti Mohwasa says the European Union (EU) Commission has availed P350 million to fund the Tuli block access roads network project.

Speaking during a consultative meeting with Tuli Block farmers and other stakeholders at Martin’s Drift recently, Mr Mohwasa said initially government had floated a tender for construction of the 30km Plaatjan bridge-Mathathane road but had since cancelled it.

He said government wrote to the EU November last year to request approval to modify the Plaatjan bridge-Mathathane road project by expanding it’s initial scope to include a network of multiple access roads serving various communities.

Furthermore, he shared that the EU issued a conditional approval in the same year and month, adding that one of the conditions was financial transparency and reporting.

To this end, Mr Mohwasa said government had taken the decision to do the road project using resources such as Botswana Defence Force (BDF), Selebi-Phikwe Economic Diversification Unit (SPEDU), Department of Roads, Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with Tuli Block Farmers Association.

“In-sourcing is the model we are going to use,” said Mr Mohwasa.

He further noted that in view of the fact that statistics illustrate that the Tuli Block Farmers Association was capable of contributing approximately 46 per cent of the country’s food production, it was therefore pertinent for government to assist in providing adequate infrastructure in an effort geared towards supporting and growing this industry.

Mr Mohwasa said President Advocate Duma Boko was clear in his resolve to transforming the country in three years, thus it was paramount to move with the needed speed and agility.

“When we took over government after October 2024 General Elections, we were confronted with the reality of a stagnant and shrinking fiscal due to the low sale of diamonds and it has become apparent that we need to diversify our economy,” he said.

Emphasising the need to walk the talk, he said it was now time for implementation.

“You are faced with a very difficult terrain and  assisting with this project will help diversify our economy through agriculture. Promises were made before in the past by those in power and I want you to know that we will do what we promise,” Mr Mohwasa said.

Minister Mohwasa further said designs for the access road project were ready and stakeholders would meet again in Martin’s Drift at Kwa Nokeng Lodge to structure the working team and get their ducks in a row.

“Our aim is to improve the quality of life of our people and this road access project will do exactly that,” he said.

He said he had been reliably informed that the Tuli Block Farmers Association would pledge various resources to this project. Mr Mohwasa said self-reliance was the way to go and it would not be wise for them to just fold their arms and hope for things to improve on their own.

“Do not underestimate your contributions to develop this country and we shall do it together,” he noted.

Some of the areas that fall under the Plaatjan road access network include Talana farms, Lekkerpoet, Plaatjan, Zanzibar, Sherwood, Mathathane, Motlhabaneng and Mabolwe, amongst others.

For his part, Chairperson of Tuli Block Farmers Association Mr Andrew Freeman said they were ready to partner with government in getting this project up and running.

“We need to establish amongst others communication channels, terms of reference, lead, structure, peruse the designs together and establish proper time frames,” Mr Freeman said.

He said as farmers, the road infrastructure in their area was very bad, which in turn affected their communities and clients.

“We need to hit the ground running and this speaks volumes to all of us to come together and execute this project in a timely fashion,” said Mr Freeman. BOPA