- – Projects valued at P1.7 million and P2 million at advanced stages of implementation
The North West District Council (NWDC) Chairperson, Itumeleng Kelebetseng, has indicated that progress is being made on road levy-funded projects aimed at improving road infrastructure in the region.
According to him, projects valued at P1.7 million and P2 million are currently at advanced stages of implementation.
He indicated that the council continues to face significant challenges in maintaining the district’s road network due to limited resources and the extent of road deterioration.
“The premix previously procured has been fully utilised; however, the quantity was insufficient to address all potholes across the district,” the chairperson revealed.
He added that while repairs in Maun have improved some sections of the road network, pothole patching remains incomplete, and areas such as Sehithwa and Makalamabedi continue to experience severe road deterioration, worsened by recent rainfall.
To support ongoing maintenance efforts, Kelebetseng revealed that P72,000.00 has been allocated under the 2026/27 recurrent budget for the procurement of additional premix.
However, he noted that the expected quantity will still be inadequate to fully address outstanding road defects in Maun and other affected areas.
“The Council nonetheless acknowledges and appreciates the valuable support provided by stakeholders whose contributions enabled the rehabilitation of many roads requiring urgent attention.”
Meanwhile, Kelebetseng has indicated the Department of Road Maintenance continues to face challenges in maintaining the district’s unpaved road network due to inadequate funding and limited machinery.
“As a result, no in-house dry grading activities were undertaken during the current quarter. However, we anticipate resuming dry grading operations in June 2026 following the repair of one grader, which is awaiting collection from Gumare.”
Despite these constraints, he noted that dry grading and sand cushioning activities are ongoing through a contractor on a 40-kilometre section of the Sankoyo-Mababe road. According to him, the contract also includes gravelling a 4-kilometre bypass around a floodplain between the two villages.
Furthermore, the chairperson added that the maintenance and servicing of the Sehithwa weighbridge has been approved for procurement during the 2026/2027 financial year. Kelebetseng stated that the council remains committed to ensuring North West residents across the region have access to good quality roads.
For their part, councillors affirmed that road conditions in the North West region are deeply concerning. Tsau-Semboyo councillor, Gaapale Makudinyane, stressed that though his constituents remain hopeful for developments every year, no efforts are being made to maintain roads in that area.
He mentioned that over time, there have been just empty talks of developing the Tsau-Semboyo and Semboyo-Makakung roads, though no progressive actions have been undertaken to ensure that those conversations and promises are implemented.
Makudinyane indicated some residents now use dangerous passages and shortcuts to reach the main road from Makakung and Semboyo where there are only gravel roads amidst forests, noting that forest passages endanger their lives as their area is rich in wildlife.
Another councillor, Keapoletswe Keapoletswe of Kareng, commended the NWDC for road maintenance projects carried out recently. However, he observed that pavements and tarred roads have been prioritised at the expense of gravel roads.
He highlighted that gravel roads in Shashe ward remain untouched and unattended to, urging for developments, particularly road works, to be equally distributed across the region.
