10 Feb 2013

Government has undertaken a decision that all roads within urban and village boundaries will fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development while those outside will fall under the Ministry of Transport and Communications.

The Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr Nonofo Molefhi said the decision was taken through presidential directive CAB 32 (b) of 2010 which effected on 1 April 2011.

As a result, he said, the access road from Maun/Francistown road to Makalamabedi fell under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development.

However, Mr Molefhi said the ministry had not taken over the said road because no discussion on the matter had been generated.

He said the road was originally funded by his ministry and had since been handed over to local authority as per the directive.

Mr Molefhi said his ministry and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development were engaged in continuous dialogue on the practical experiences of implementing the directive.

He further said in revisiting the implementation processes it might become necessary to accommodate any changes so required.

The MP for Boteti North, Mr Slumber Tsogwane had asked the minister why part of the access road from Maun/Francistown road to Makalamabedi fell between two ministries and the criteria used to determine such a situation. He also asked the minister to state why the Ministry of Transport and Communications had not taken over the 8km part of the road, and who funded the 8km road from Xleredomo to Makalamabedi. ENDS