Africa-Press – Botswana. Government plans to construct toll gates on some of the country’s major highways, Minister of Transport and Public Works has said.
Briefing Mathangwane leadership on the construction of the road linking Semotswane, Mandunyane, Shashemooke, Borolong, Chadibe and Mathangwane on Tuesday, Mr Eric Molale said discussions on the toll roads were ongoing.
He explained that the tollgates system would assist in generating revenue that could be used to maintain roads across the country, adding that the plan was to ensure that government budget, which was already stretched, did not get depleted as tollgates infrastructure was financially demanding.
Mr Molale revealed that the bituminisation of the road had been included in the Transition Development Plan.
He said the road would reduce traffic congestion on the Tonota-Francistown-Mathangwane route and that it would also be an alternative route for motorists who would be unable to pay toll fees.
On other issues, Minister Molale expressed concern about poor implementation of government projects, especially the road network.
He said road projects were marred by court cases, which delayed the commencement of some earmarked for the past financial years.
He cited the Semotswane-Mathangwane road, which had been delayed for five years despite funds having been secured on time, as one example.
To address the delay and ensure projects were completed on time and within budget, Mr Molale said the ministry had decided to change the approach and tact.
He also decried increasing incidences of vandalism of government property, including cable theft, watering cattle at public standpipes as well as corruption.
Giving a vote of thanks, Tati West MP, Mr Fidelis Molao said the construction of toll roads would not only improve the standard of living of Batswana by creating employment, but would also attract foreign investors to the country.
Mr Molao, who is also the Minister of Agriculture, said road infrastructure was a very important public asset, as society relied on a good road system to access jobs, health care, education and social connections.
He informed residents that the Francistown-Maun section of the A3 highway would also be re-constructed.
In his welcome remarks, Kgosi Itekeng Mathangwane lamented the delay in the construction of the road, saying for 20 years they had been requesting that the road be upgraded to bitumen standard, but to no avail.
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