…promises more roads and jobs
‘Makananelo Manamolela
PRIME Minister Samuel Matekane has officially handed over the Kofi Annan Road (A7) lighting project to residents of Thetsane and surrounding communities, saying the government is determined to eliminate challenges caused by darkness and expand road infrastructure across the country.
The handover ceremony was held on Friday at Ha-Tikoe and attended by government officials, chiefs and members of the community.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Matekane said the government had embarked on a campaign to ensure roads are upgraded and fitted with street lighting to improve safety and accessibility.
“All challenges that restrict people from performing their daily duties because of darkness, we are dealing with them,” Mr Matekane said.
“We are in a campaign that ensures roads in villages are refurbished and completed with lighting infrastructure. This is already happening in the six constituencies where the project is being implemented.”
The prime minister also responded to a plea from local leadership for the development of the road leading to Loretto village, assuring residents that work would commence soon.
He said government had already begun constructing internal roads at Ha-Sae in Thetsane constituency, creating an alternative route for motorists during periods of heavy traffic congestion into Maseru.
“In the next two weeks that road will be completed and fitted with lights as well,” he said.
Mr Matekane said the constituencies earmarked to benefit from the broader road development initiative include Maseru Central, Thetsane, Tsolo, Likotsi, Koro-Koro and Qeme.
According to the prime minister, the areas will receive paved roads equipped with lighting infrastructure.
“This is only the beginning because this country is big and Basotho need services that can be relied upon in all weather conditions,” he said.
Mr Matekane urged communities to protect public infrastructure and report acts of vandalism and criminal activity affecting development projects.
Responding to concerns raised by residents over rising unemployment and factory closures, he said government continued to pursue initiatives aimed at creating jobs.
He said one of the approaches involved empowering communities through local road construction projects, where residents supply labour and quarry materials while heavy machinery completes final stages of construction.
The prime minister further announced that factories at Ha-Belo in Butha Buthe were expected to resume operations in October and could create employment opportunities for approximately 20000 people.
Public Works and Transport Minister, Matjato Moteane, said five contractors had been engaged for the project, with four completing their assigned works.
“We spent M36 million on this project and as the ministry we added another M7 million,” Mr Moteane said.
“In the six months of implementation, the project created employment opportunities for 104 Basotho.”
Thetsane constituency legislator, Nthati Moorosi, speaking on behalf of legislators from beneficiary constituencies, welcomed the development and said improved lighting would help address safety concerns.
“Communities in these areas have long been vulnerable to violence because of darkness,” Ms Moorosi said.
“These are hardworking people who often travel on foot and poor lighting has always been one of their biggest challenges. We are grateful because that challenge will now become a thing of the past.”
Representing the Principal Chief of Thaba-Bosiu, Chief Leloko Mohalenyane, urged residents to safeguard public infrastructure and work together to curb vandalism.
“The theft of electricity cables continues to create darkness because of people who oppose development. We must work together to stop this,” Chief Mohalenyane said.
“Development is for everyone. Parents must guide their children and help prevent destructive behaviour.”
He also expressed gratitude to the prime minister for fulfilling government’s promise to increase chiefs’ salaries, saying traditional leaders had already received the adjustment.