City Council needs to build better bridges

Mmegi Editor | Monday February 20, 2023 06:00

The lack of rain in January left many local farmers, especially those in the southern parts of the country, worried that God was not on their side as their crops had already wilted as they were exposed to high and often times unbearable temperatures.

This week’s heavy downpours were preceded by prolonged periods of scotching temperatures and dryness. But, last week and this week in particular, heavy downpours literally changed the story and brought traffic in the city to a complete halt. Gaborone’s so-called major but poorly constructed roads were flooded with rainwater.

Some of the motor bridges across the Segoditshane River in particular, which runs across the city’s major roads connecting Gaborone North to other parts of the city, were almost unusable as the water burst to their seams. The scenes were pathetic as city dwellers cursed the rain instead of celebrating it after so many months of waiting in vain. It all goes back to the Gaborone City Council (GCC) to ensure that the Gaborone roads are able to properly handle rainwater as it seems storm water drainages are either unable to cope with the heavy flows of water or there are no drainages at all. For the two weeks in succession, not only was motor traffic disrupted, but also, water raided many unsuspecting city dwellers’ houses destroying people’s property therein. The majority of these people pay service levy to the GCC.

It is for the umpteenth time that motorists and property owners grapple with water that strays onto Gaborone roads and residential dwellings. This has become a seasonal phenomenon that the municipality is unable to provide for.

We call upon the Gaborone City Mayor, Austin Abraham and his management team to put their priorities right and take care of the interests of the people. It should also be noted that the poor city road system has the potential to scare off potential investors as it inconveniences a lot.

Just when the rain stops, the roads filled with soil and cement for a short-term solution that the GCC seems to be happy with, will be exposed with multiple potholes that often times leave our roads impassable reigning supreme.

The GCC has to pull up its socks, as it seems to be vulnerable to many failures; with Gaborone dark at night, something that attracts criminals who terrorise innocent people. It becomes a pathetic sight to see traffic snarl up which disrupts commuters going to work and from work because other roads have been closed due to a problem that could have long been corrected. Please GCC build modern time bridges across the Segoditshane River!

Today's thought

“Men build too many walls and not enough bridges.”

– Joseph Fort Newton