Sehithwa-Mohembo road a deathtrap
The Botswana Democratic Partyled government has neglected the whole North West region; it is a region not in its priority lists when it comes to development. This is pathetic to say the least.
How can one justify the state of our road (Sehithwa-Mohembo), a road that’s lead tourists to one of the most sought after wilderness destinations in the world; the Okavango Delta.
This road leads to one of the productive areas of the country when it comes to tourism; therefore there is absolutely no justification for not maintaining it. It only demonstrates that those in power are only interested in the natural resources found in the region and careless about its people. We can’t have a road in that state for more than 10 years if indeed we have a government caring for its people. The road has turned into a deathtrap, and something has to be done before we lose more lives. Equal distribution of resources and development is a non-existent concept within the BDP government. The BDP leaders only use development to promote their personal status. The observable trend is to take developments to areas of where the sitting Vice President and President hail from, that’s what happened when developments were taken to the central district (Mahalapye,Palapye and Serowe). That region witnessed booming developments for the first time during the time of the late Mompati Merafhe and former President Ian Khama, as VP and President respectively; and the same trend is evident in the Moshupa area.
But at least we have managed to push the road to be included in the NDP 11 midterm review. I am now hopeful that it will be done. In my view this road has bypassed the stage of patching and asphalt overlaying, because there is no base to overlay anything on. The base has worn out and is completely damaged. It needs complete reconstruction. The government should commit enough funds and reconstruct the road.
I can’t understand why it took such a long time for it to be budgeted for. It is a road of an economic significance to the constituents and those involved in transport business in the constituency and of course the whole country in general. It is also affecting the economic lives of the road users in particular. Leha motho a iteka a rekile koloi, it gets destroyed the same day put on the road.
As I have already stated I will continue pushing for it untill it is done. I will continue to engage the responsible minister and raise the issue on the floor of parliament. It is an irony for the government to come up with an iconic facility such as the Mohembo Bridge without rehabilitation of the road leading there. It totally defeats logic, how this government plans.