18 Mar 2025

Due to budgetary constraints, there are currently no plans to design and construct Hukuntsi - Ncojane road and access roads at Zutshwa, Ngwatle, Ncaang, Hunhukwe, Monong, Xhaa and Ukhwi roads, says Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Mr Noah Salakae.

In a recent parliamentary session, Mr Salakae said the ministry was aware of the poor accessibility to Xhaa, Hunhukwe and Maake villages, adding that they would continue maintenance of the roads by dry grading.

He said spot improvement of some sections would also be considered, funds permitting, citing that the ministry last maintained the Hukuntsi - Zutshwa Road by dry grading of a 20km road section in December 2024.

The activity was concentrated on sections with soft spots and the ministry was currently onsite performing spot improvement since the February 10, 2025, targeting the same section, he said.

Mr Salakae said the activity was planned for completion in mid-March 2025, adding that the Ngwatle - Ukhwi road section was graded in June 2024 and planned for dry grading in May 2025.

In addition, he said Hukuntsi-Monong road was last maintained by dry grading in January 2025 while the Monong - Ngwatle section was graded in July 2024. He said there was presently no budget from the ministry to upgrade the Phuduhudu - Inalegolo - Kokong to a paved road as it was not included in the current Transitional National Development Plan.

Nevertheless, Mr Salakae said the ministry would continue to maintain the road every quarter through dry grading, adding that their records indicated that there were 159 vehicles allocated to several departments in various villages in Kgalagadi North.

“It must however be noted that departments keep moving the vehicles to other areas as they see fit and fleet register constantly changes. Out of these vehicles, 42 percent are currently dow n mainly due to mechanical faults,” he said.

This according to Mr Salakae was due to shortage of funds to procure parts by different departments for their repairs, adding that departments mostly affected were Ministry of Health, Botswana Police Service, Department of Wildlife and National Parks and Ministry of Education.
Mr Reason Lekutlane, MP of Kgalagadi North had asked the minister to appraise parliament on his intensions to design and construct both main and access roads in his constituency. ENDS