Mafeteng — Minister of Public Works and Transport, Mr. Matjato Moteane, has urged a road contractor appointed to undertake road works in Mafeteng to prioritise quality, ensure the durability of roads and involve local communities in the project.
Speaking at the event to introduce the road contractor in Mafeteng on Monday, Mr. Moteane said some roads would have to be repaired because they had not been properly constructed in the past.
He emphasised that the main objective was to ensure that the roads were built to last longer and would not require frequent maintenance.
He urged the contractor to prioritise the welfare of workers and ensure that equipment and machinery needed for the project were sourced locally.
He advised the contractor to talk with the District Administrator whenever materials, machinery or vehicles were needed for hire, so that local people with such resources could be given an opportunity to participate.
The Minister further noted that in other areas where similar projects were underway, blasting activities were being carried out by Basotho.
He said the same approach should be adopted in Mafeteng to ensure that local people benefited from the project.
Mr. Moteane explained that the initiative was part of the government’s efforts to improve road networks across the country, making it easier for people to conduct trade and other business activities easily.
He added that the project would also create employment opportunities, particularly through temporary jobs, at a time when unemployment remained a major challenge.
The Minister also said he had engaged the contractor on the possibility of providing nearby communities with access to quarry materials to support the improvement of village roads.
He assured communities that gravel roads had not been forgotten, noting that they also remained part of the government’s road development plans.
Ends/MMK
