Tonota -F-Town road construction finally begins

Patricia Edwin
Staff Writer | Friday January 27, 2012 00:00

This is one of the long-awaited projects in the area as it was first discussed in the NDP8, NDP9 and eventually NDP10. However, nothing ever materialised during those financial years and it was halted because of the economic recession.

Nyeku told the council that he had spoken to some officials at the Ministry of Transport and Communication and the officials confirmed to him that they were working around the clock to make sure that construction of that road takes off this April. 'Honourable councillors you will agree with me that the construction of this road is long over due and that it should have preceded the construction of the Francistown-Ramokgwebana road,' he said.

Nyeku further said that they spoke with President Ian Khama and members of his cabinet in May 2010 about this project when it was at a standstill.  He went on to say that this project will not only change the face of the city but it will also help with congestion on the road, which is at the moment the city's biggest problem. 'This project will not only change the face of Francistown but it will also drastically reduce the traffic congestion in the city,' he said.

He further added that now it was left to the city to secure funding for inner city roads. 'If the city of Francistown were to succeed in its quest to secure funding for internal roads the problem of traffic congestion that has dogged this city would be a thing of the past,' said the mayor.

The mayor hopes that many of the projects that were deferred because of the recession would be reinstated.  He further said that another milestone was the completion of the Francistown International Airport. 'The year 2011 has also witnessed the completion of Francistown Airport which has been expanded to enable it to accommodate the operation of the Boeing 737 aircraft and all other similar classes on short and medium haul operation,' he added.

He said that the improvement comprised construction of a runway, link taxiway, apron, terminal building, control tower, technical building, crash fire, rescue building and approach roads as well as provision of improved navigational facilities.  Nyeku also revealed that the long awaited Shashe Mooke Bridge has finally been funded and construction will begin this year as soon as a contractor has been identified.