The Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae, has assured residents of Kgalagadi North that they can expect significant improvements to their road infrastructure, saying that key roads in their district would eventually be upgraded to bitumen standard.

Addressing a consultative kgotla meeting in Hukuntsi recently, Mr Salakae said the government remained committed to upgrading the Hukuntsi–Ncojane and Hukuntsi–Tsabong roads, noting that the developments would enhance the transportation of goods and services while stimulating economic growth in the region.

He emphasised that the government was prioritising the construction of modern, climate-resilient roads built using new technologies to withstand current environmental conditions.

“The whole country is in dire need of roads, and as such, our ministry is committed to ensuring that this need is fulfilled,” he said.

Mr Salakae highlighted that road network infrastructure remained the backbone of Botswana’s economy as it connected villages and facilitated the smooth movement of goods and services. 

He said though that the Hukuntsi–Ncojane road was expected to be included in the 2027/2028 financial year budget, attributing delays to prevailing financial constraints.

“Once completed, the projects would contribute significantly to job creation and revitalise the economy of the district,” he stated.

Mr Salakae further noted that the Botswana Economic Transformation Programme (BETP) had been designed to support such developments, alongside private sector partnerships.

In this regard, he relayed that investors had expressed keen interest in developing the Hukuntsi–Tsabong road at no cost to the government. 

He noted that the arrangement would see the road operated as a toll road, with charges primarily targeting heavy trucks.

Alternative routes will also be constructed to cater to motorists who will not be able to afford toll gates, he assured residents.

“These toll gates will generate revenue directly from road users to upgrade key national roads such as the A1 and improve road safety,” he said.

Also, Minister Salakae highlighted that the construction of the Hukuntsi–Tsabong road via the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park would ease the transportation of small stock to the Tsabong Multi-Species Abattoir.

In addition, Mr Salakae also indicated that the ministry was exploring effective dry grading methods for untarred roads in surrounding settlements such as Zutswa, Ukwi, Maake and Ngwatle. 

For that, he said the government planned to procure equipment to carry out such works in-house.

He acknowledged concerns about overgrown vegetation along some roads leading to settlements, noting that tree cutting was necessary in certain areas to reduce hazards to motorists. 

On others, he stressed the importance of upgrading the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, which passes through Kang Village, so that the local communities could fully benefit from increased trade and economic activity.

Furthermore, he informed residents that the government had resolved to partner with Namibia on the construction of the Trans-Kalahari railway line, which will create employment opportunities, connect the two neighboring states and facilitate efficient transportation of goods within the Southern African Development Community region.

He hastened to clear the air that the envisaged railway line would not pass through Kgalagadi district, it would run through Ngami district due to mining activities and greater business prospects in that area.

On public transport, Mr Salakae appealed to residents to embrace the upcomig increase in fares, which would take effect in April.

He explained that although adjustments were necessary, they had been kept minimal in light of prevailing economic challenges.

Minister Salakae also disclosed that the government intended to review the Road Traffic Act, describing it as outdated and long overdue for amendment. 

For his part, Kgalagadi North Member of Parliament, Mr Reason Lekutlane, appealed for the tarring of the Lehututu–Ngwatle, Maake and Hunhukwe roads. He described their condition as poor and in urgent need of attention, suggesting that gravelling could be undertaken as an interim measure.

Mr Lekutlane welcomed the planned upgrading of the Hukuntsi–Ncojane and Hukuntsi–Tsabong roads. 

Meawhile, Kgosi Merapelo Tshweneyagae of Hukuntsi expressed gratitude to the Minister of Transport and Infrastructure for prioritising the long-awaited Hukuntsi–Ncojane and Hukuntsi–Tsabong roads.

He stated that the road projects were crucial and would go a long way at improving connectivity and boosting business opportunities for villages located along them.

He further noted that the Hukuntsi–Zutswa road also required urgent attention to facilitate the transportation of goods from the Zutshwa salt Mine.ENDS