The government of Lesotho will spent M8 Million on a periodic maintenance of 12 kilometres gravel road out of 85kms from Seaka to Ketane in Mohale’s hoek.

In an interview, the Regional Engineer in the Department of Rural Roads, Mr. Lelecha Lebona said the work, which is scheduled to end in March next year, began this month and is undertaken by two local contractors, Road Lux Construction and Top Tech Construction.

He said six kilometers will be covered between Seaka and Phamong while another six kilometers will be from Phamong to Ketane Ha Nohana, saying that the focus areas are at Lithipeng and Ha Tlhabeli.

Mr. Lebona stated that unlike in the past when maintenance was done with labour only, this time 50 percent of the work is done with machinery and another 50 percent with manual labour.

The aim, he said is to broaden the road to allow free movement of vehicles to and fro without one having to wait for another vehicle to pass.

The Regional Engineer stated that though the intention is to improve the road, the project will also address problems of unemployment by offering jobs to some members of the community.

Some residents from villages that fall within the project echoed by public transport operators in the area have expressed gratitude that the government has at long last responded to their plea for the road to be improved.

One of them, Mrs. ‘Mantebaleng Letsie explained that they used to encounter difficulties with travelling particularly during the rainy season as the road became slippery.

She added that though the government has provided a bus to operate in the area and compliment the few taxis in operation, transport is still not sufficient to meet the demand but expressed hope that once the road is completed, public transport will increase.

Another resident, Mr. Nthofela Ts’ekeli said they are looking forward to see all 58kms of the road being upgraded and tarred in order to connect Ketane with Mohale’s hoek town and allow small cars to move freely.

Seaka – Ketane road serves community councils of Khoelenya, Phamong, and Qobong.

Source: LENA 28/12/2009