Parliament has learned that the objectives of the initial towers of Ghoha, Savuti and mid Mababe were achieved when BoFiNet deployed an underground fibre optic line along the same route connecting Maun and Kasane, rendering the towers redundant for the purpose they were initially planned for. 

Answering a question in Parliament on Wednesday, Minister of Communications and Innovation, Mr David Tshere said the previous administration directed Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) to halt the construction of the towers project and explore alternative methods linking the two areas. 

Minister Tshere said the administration was of the view that the towers were negatively affecting the terrain and aesthetics of wildlife parks and nature reserves. 

He stated that the completed Maun-Ngoma Bridge link connecting to Kasane served Mababe, Savuti and Ngoma, adding that, funds permitting, Ngoma would be connected in the near future. 

The towers in question, Minister Tshere clarified, were part of Nteletsa II Project, implemented in 2009 to 2012 by BTC, designed to provide redundancy or backup route in case of network failures in the Nata-Pandamatenga communications link. 

He further clarified that the towers were not planned to provide services to communities residing within the park. 

Meanwhile, Minister Tshere said the ministry was planning to decommission the towers in the 2026/27 financial year.  He expressed the ministry’s commitment towards provision of accessible and affordable communications to all communities, aligning with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal Nine. 

“Through other initiatives such as universal access and service fund projects and SmartBots, the ministry continues to provide connectivity to all gazetted villages,” he said. 

He further informed Parliament that the ministry would engage that of environment and tourism to find a delicate balance since the two were aware of the fact that Kasane-Maun route, through the park, had been opened to the public for formal use. 

“Therefore, my ministry recognises the need for continuous coverage of communication services along this strategic route, especially considering the remoteness of the area,” the minister said. 

Chobe MP, Mr Simasiku Mapulanga had asked the minister to state why the telecommunications towers of Ghoha, Savuti and Mid Mababe had not been completed and when the ministry intended to complete the towers. ENDS