…as infrastructure projects promise safer travel, jobs and tourism opportunities
Bokang Mofoka
THE government has unveiled the contractor to build a bridge across the Senqu River at Tebellong and launched a road project linking Sehlabathebe to Thamathu, in a major infrastructure push aimed at improving connectivity in Qacha’s Nek.
The bridge is expected to address longstanding safety concerns in Tebellong, where residents have risked their lives crossing the Senqu River, which has claimed numerous lives over the years. The project is expected to take 24 months to complete.
The road project, meanwhile, will see eight kilometres of road tarred over an 18-month construction period, improving access to essential services and opening up tourism opportunities in the mountainous district.
Speaking at the Tebellong bridge contractor unveiling ceremony on Thursday, Roads Directorate Director General, Linehella Ntšere, said the project marked an important step towards addressing the community’s longstanding concerns.
“God has answered the prayers of the people of Tebellong. Today, we are here to introduce the contractor who will serve this community through the construction of a major bridge across the Senqu River,” Mr Ntšere said.
Minister of Public Works and Transport, Matjato Moteane, said he was delighted that the project was finally taking shape after years of promises to the community.
“Joy overflows in my heart,” Mr Moteane said, adding that successive governments had turned the bridge into a political talking point without adequately addressing the community’s needs.
He said the current government had invested more than M3 billion in Qacha’s Nek over the past four years.
Mr Moteane announced that Unik Construction had been appointed to build the bridge, with Zutari serving as the supervising consultant. The project will also include an access road connecting the main road to Tebellong village.
Minister of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture, Stephen Mputi, welcomed the development, saying the bridge would improve access to the area and create opportunities to promote tourism and local attractions.
He said better infrastructure would make it easier for Basotho and international visitors to travel to the district, potentially supporting local businesses and economic activities.
Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, Tšepang Koele, announced that recruitment information for the project was expected to be published the following week.
Her announcement comes amid concerns over transparency in recruitment for public infrastructure projects and whether residents of host communities are given priority when employment opportunities arise.
Area Chief Makhaola Makhaola welcomed the project, saying the community had waited a long time for development.
“We are very happy on behalf of the people of Melele because this development comes after a long period of crying out for assistance,” Chief Makhaola said.
He thanked the government for responding to the community’s concerns and asked Mr Moteane to convey their gratitude to Prime Minister Sam Matekane.
Parliamentary Natural Resources Committee chairperson, Lebohang Phohleli, said the bridge would help residents cross the Senqu River to access healthcare and other essential services more safely.
He said the Committee would continue monitoring implementation to ensure the project was completed as expected, adding that the handover to the contractor did not mark the end of parliamentary oversight.
Minister courts local businesses
Following the bridge contract handover, Mr Moteane met businesspeople from Qacha’s Nek to discuss opportunities for local enterprises to participate in construction projects through subcontracting.
The minister said businesses based in the district should benefit from infrastructure investments rather than leaving the economic opportunities exclusively to larger contractors from outside the area.
The engagement followed concerns raised by community representatives about local employment and access to business opportunities linked to government-funded projects.
The government has indicated that local businesses should be among the first to benefit from development taking place in their district.
However, the extent of their participation will depend on the subcontracting arrangements and the opportunities available during implementation.
Thamathu road launch
Mr Moteane proceeded to launch the construction of an eight-kilometre tarred road linking Sehlabathebe to Thamathu on Friday.
The project, awarded to Qingjian Group (CNQC), is expected to take 18 months to complete. SMEC has been appointed as the consultant.
This Chinese contractor previously worked on the road connecting Mpiti to Sehlabathebe.
Between 150 and 200 people are expected to be employed during construction, providing temporary income-generating opportunities for residents.
Speaking at a public gathering in Thamathu, Mr Moteane said the road would improve mobility, reduce travel times and vehicle operating costs, and make access to essential services easier and safer.
“The road, once completed, will make it easier for people to access basic services in a timely and safe manner,” he said.
Mr Moteane said the project formed part of the government’s broader efforts to improve connectivity between remote communities and strengthen links between Qacha’s Nek, Thaba-Tseka and Mokhotlong.
He said central Lesotho still required better road connections to address infrastructure gaps that made travelling difficult for residents.
The road is also expected to improve access to Sehlabathebe, an area known for its natural attractions and tourism potential.
Mr Moteane urged Qingjian Group to maintain a good working relationship with local communities throughout construction. He also directed the contractor to expedite compensation for residents whose land and property would be affected by the project.
He further appealed to the contractor to assist Thamathu Primary School, although he did not provide details of the proposed assistance.
Mputi sees tourism potential
Mr Mputi said the road would help unlock Sehlabathebe’s tourism potential by making the area more accessible to visitors.
He said improved transport infrastructure could create employment opportunities, particularly for young people and women, while enabling communities to develop and promote local products, cultural activities and other attractions.
However, he said residents needed to be prepared to take advantage of the opportunities created by infrastructure development.
Mr Mputi also linked the project to Lesotho’s 60th anniversary of independence, saying the milestone offered an opportunity to reflect on the country’s achievements and plan for the future.
He invoked the anniversary theme, “Re hetla morao, ho aha bokamoso” — Honouring our past, shaping our future.
Mr Phohleli said the Thamathu road project showed that the government was responding to communities’ longstanding concerns.
He said residents had waited a long time for the road and expressed confidence that its completion would pave the way for further development in the area.
The committee chairperson reiterated that the project needed to deliver tangible benefits to residents, echoing his call for continued oversight during the Tebellong bridge construction.
MP demands local jobs, fair compensation
Tsoelike legislator, Tšeliso Nkofoche, urged the contractor to use quarries responsibly and restore affected land to its original condition in accordance with the law.
He also called on the Ministry of Public Works and Transport to ensure that unskilled jobs were reserved for residents of the villages through which the road passes.
Mr Nkofoche said the ministry should ensure that people whose land and property were affected by construction received compensation promptly.
He said the anticipated employment of between 150 and 200 people on the Thamathu road project could provide temporary relief to some households, while subcontracting opportunities could extend the economic benefits to local businesses.