Maseru, June 2 — Minister of Local Government and Chieftainship, Mr. Nkhethoa Seetsa, has pledged swift action on the dilapidated Semphetenyane road, saying he visited the area to witness conditions firsthand and follow through on commitments made by local leaders.
Speaking during a walkabout to assess the road, Minister Seetsa said he was new in the ministry but came to hear directly from Mayor Relebohile Sechache and Member of Parliament Mrs. Itumeleng Rants’o about initiatives they are willing to undertake.
“I am a person of action, I will follow up on what they have said, and I promise that work will start soon,” the Minister said.
Member of Parliament Mrs. Itumeleng Rants’o said the visit was aimed at assessing the road, which has been in poor condition for a long time but promised that they will work on it soon. She noted that she had raised the issue in Parliament, but progress has been slow due to budget constraints.
“There is a road under construction, but we have had to wait because of WASCO water pipes that needed to be addressed first,” she explained.
Mrs. Rants’o also said efforts have been made to secure the release of people arrested during the recent protests over the road.
Meanwhile, 75 year-old Mrs. Maselebalo Matsoso expressed frustration over the visit by the Minister, Mayor, and other officials, saying it would amount to nothing.
She added that she had lived at Semphetenyane and the road has been in that state for as long as she can remember.
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