Government
has secured a P300 million grant from the Chinese government which will be
channelled towards upgrading some roads across the country.
The
Ministry of Transport and Communications has identified three roads, to benefit
from the grant being Motlopi/Makalamabedi road, Radisele/Pilikwe road and one
in the Barolong area.
The
Minister of Transport and Communications, Ms Dorcas Makgato announced that all
feasibility studies and other required processes had been completed as the plan
was for construction of the 28-km long-awaited Motlopi/Makalamabedi road to
commence this year.
She
explained that Chinese grants came with condition that construction would be
undertaken by Chinese companies.
However,
the appointment of the contractor would be agreed upon by the two governments. She
assured residents that the appointed contractors would hire locals.
The road,
she said, was among the 40 which were supposed to be implemented through the
Economic Stimulus Programme but could not be undertaken due to financial
constraints.
Residents
called on government to speed up the project as it would add value to the local
economy.
Residents
were also informed about some of the roads to be upgraded in the Boteti region.
Ms
Makgato explained that the Department of Roads was carrying out periodic and
routine maintenance within Boteti east and west constituencies.
For
Boteti West, she mentioned the re-gravelling of the 14km Rakops-Xere road
noting that the project was being done in two phases, with the first phase
having commenced in the 2017/18 financial year.
The
project has been awarded to Cleveland Pty Ltd at a cost of over P6 million.
Ms
Makgato revealed that the second phase of the 6.5 km road was expected to
commence this financial year at a cost of P5 million. The tender would be
awarded soon, she said.
Another project entails the 19km dry grading and 5.7km of re-gravelling of Toromoja-Rakops at P3 million.https://allafrica.com/stories/201908210092.html
