Africa-Press – Botswana. Following a tour of Shorobe-Khwai road by Assistant Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Keoagile Atamelang, residents of Khwai and Sankoyo are hopeful that the government will prioritise the upgrading of the road to enhance accessibility and boost economic activities.
The residents said the assistant minister had seen the bad condition of the road and how it had been negatively affecting their daily lives.
The road, they said was of economic importance as it contributed to tourism industry and believed things would change for the better.
The road also links Maun and Kasane and is mostly used by tourism operators and tourists visiting the Okavango Delta, Moremi Game Reserve and Chobe National Park.
Residents said the recent showers had worsened the road condition as it was impassable.
The road, they said, was also hazardous due to potholes that resulted from easy wearing away of gravel, hence it should be tarred.
“We pin our hopes in the new administration to bring change to our areas in terms of development infrastructure. We have long decried the bad condition of the road and we are optimistic that something will be done,” said Ms Keorapetse Yarobi of Sankoyo.
Kgosi Gokgatlhang Moalosi of Sankoyo said he had long requested government to tar the said road, which passed through their villages. “I am impressed with the assistant minister’s tour as he is showing the will to upgrade the road that is of economic benefit to our region.”
Upgrading of the road, he said, would boost the economic activities as well as grow the tourism industry.
While they wait for the long term solution, Kgosi Moalosi wished the government could consider a short term measure more so that the road was busy and attracting an influx of tourists.
Kgosi Merafhe Amos of Khwai also appreciated that upgrading of the road would ease movement and contributed to the tourism sector as it was also used by big trucks transporting goods to different safari camps in the delta.
The Mababe-Khwai portion, he said, had not been maintained in years. Maun North MP, Mr Dumelang Saleshando also said the road deserved to be upgraded as it was constructed in 1991 and had surpassed its lifespan.
The road, he said, hindered residents, including young people from enjoying available economic opportunities.
The MP expressed hope that the government would include it in the National Development Plan 12 (NDP 12) and prioritise its construction.
“In the previous years, the government showed intention to upgrade it, but that did not materialise and I am hopeful that since the relevant authorities came to appreciate it, things will change for the better,” he added.
For his part, Mr Atamelang said the ministry had embarked on a mission to assess the state of road infrastructure across the country with a hope to improve those that had a significant bearing on the economy of the country.
He highlighted that Khwai area was a tourism destination and the bad state of the road was worrisome as it also made it difficult to bring services closer to the community.
He said his visit was an indication that government prioritisded road infrastructure and assured the residents that the road would be considered in preparations for NDP12.
Mr Atamelang said road infrastructure stimulated the economy, attracted investors, created employment opportunities and also made it easy for residents to access government initiatives and services.
“This road is of economic importance not only to the region, but to the country as it contributes to the tourism sector, which is the backbone of our economy. Although we are working on a budget deficit, we will strive to ensure our roads are improved,” he added.
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