12 Mar 2026

Legislators across the political divide have demanded that the approved P5.8 billion budget for the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure prioritises long-neglected internal roads as well as immediate implementation of toll-gates to sustain the nation’s infrastructure. 

Debating the ministry’s budget proposal for the next financial year on Wednesday, Member of Parliament for Selebi Phikwe East, Mr Kgoberego Nkawana, opined that public transport operators were calling for a fare increase as high operating costs continued to erode their profits.

The legislator also proposed that taxis be legally required to install GPS systems in their vehicles. Regarding the national airline, he said time was nigh Air Botswana spread its wings by launching long-haul routes outside the SADC region. He also called for lower airfares to encourage Batswana to fly with the national carrier. 

MP for Good Hope/Mmathethe, Dr Edwin Dikoloti, spoke on the status of the Mmathethe-Metlobo-Bray-Werda Road, noting it had been funded long ago yet was missing from the minister’s speech. 

Dr Dikoloti highlighted the importance of the Digawana-Molapowabojang-Kgomokasitwa Road and thanked the minister for the construction of the Kgoro Road. He also stressed that public transport permits should be issued with greater transparency. 

Francistown South MP, Mr Wynter Mmolotsi welcomed the planned repairs for the A1 Road, adding that the country already had the basic infrastructure to set up tollgates in Sese, Dibete and Dukwi. However, he expressed concern that the Francistown airport remained underutilised, closing at 5pm, an unusual practice for a city airport. 

MP Galenawabo Lekau of Mogoditshane West said given its large population, Mogoditshane needed a bus rank to cater to travellers from the western side of the country. He further noted that while Mogoditshane was a hub for second-hand vehicle trading, the area lacked a Department of Transport office. 

Boteti West MP, Mr Sam Digwa reminded the minister not to forget Xhere in the quest to develop the Kuke-Tsienyane Road. He decried the poor state of affairs in Boteti, stating that the area lacked an internal road network. Gabane/Mmankgodi MP, Mr Kagiso Mmusi welcomed the access road to Mmokolodi but called for a similar connection to Tloaneng. 

He described the expansion of the Gabane-Mmankgodi Road into a dual carriageway as crucial, noting that five to six constituencies would benefit. 

Mr Karabo Gare, MP for Moshupa-Manyana, highlighted that infrastructure was vital for economic development and service delivery. MP Gare also expressed concern regarding the Digawana-Kgomokasitwa-Ntlhantlhe project despite funding being allocated two years ago. Francistown West MP, Mr Ignatius Moswaane called for speedy introduction of tollgates, asserting that current infrastructure was sufficient to support them. MP Helen Manyeneng of Mmopane/Metsimotlhabe called for the regulation of e-hailing services like Yango and inDrive, stating that local taxis were losing customers to the platforms. She also urged government to regulate driving schools. Mmadinare MP, Mr Ketlhalefile Motshegwa said his constituency had been neglected for years, leaving the area underdeveloped without proper roads. 

He called for the termination of the Robelela contract, arguing that the contractor was moving at a snail’s pace. Following the debate, Parliament approved the P5.8 billion budget request for the 2026/27 financial year presented by Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae. BOPA