Minister of Public Works and Transport Mr. Matjato Moteane has officially launched the reconstruction of the bitumen road connecting Mohale’s Hoek and Quthing, a project valued at more than M192 million. The sod-turning ceremony was held at Alwyn’s Kop on Monday.

The more than 19-kilometre road reconstruction project will take 16 months and is funded by the Road Fund Lesotho. It will cover the section from Meriting in Mohale’s Hoek District to Lower Moyeni in Quthing.

At the event, Mr. Moteane introduced Nthane Brothers (NB) Civil Construction, the company engaged by the Roads Directorate to undertake the reconstruction works.

Addressing the gathering at the Alwyn’s Kop District Football Association (DIFA) sports ground, Mr Moteane appealed to the company to construct a high-quality road and complete the project within the scheduled 16 months.

He noted that NB Civil Construction is the only Mosotho-owned company among six civil engineering companies engaged in bitumen road construction, with the others being Chinese companies.

He said the road had been severely damaged and was in poor condition after being excluded from a maintenance plan for more than 20 years.

He added that arrangements would be made to extend construction from Meriting to Mafeteng, starting from Meriting in Mohale’s Hoek, in the next financial year.

Mr. Moteane further appealed to NB Civil Construction to execute the work diligently and pay labourers fairly.

He said this would enable Basotho road construction companies to win tenders for road construction in the next financial year and position themselves for future road reconstruction projects by learning from NB Civil Construction.

Also speaking at the event, Member of Parliament for Moyeni Constituency and Minister of Forestry and Environment Mr. Thabo Mofosi expressed gratitude for the road construction project.

He said although the Quthing community might feel neglected due to a long period without development, road maintenance projects were ongoing in the district, including the Moyeni-Mount Moorosi and Kubung roads, as well as maintenance of the Mjanyane and Mathole bridges.

Mr Mofosi also said plans to address the lack of electricity in some villages in the Moyeni Constituency were in the pipeline.

Acting Director General of the Roads Directorate Mr Boitumelo Lillane said reconstruction activities along the more than 19-kilometre bitumen road between Meriting and Quthing town would include pavement layers, installation of culverts and application of a bitumen coat and installation of road signs.

Acting Director of the Road Fund Mr. T’seliso Plaki said the more than M192 million funding for the project had been sourced from road user charges, including toll gates, fuel levies, vehicle permits and traffic offence fees.

He said the charges were aimed at financing road maintenance, rehabilitation and road safety activities across the country.

Community Councillor for Mokanametsong in Quthing Urban, Mr. Taele Fako, expressed gratitude for the road reconstruction and appealed to the community to protect construction materials and equipment belonging to the company.

He urged residents to avoid destroying or hindering the smooth implementation of the project.

Ms. Moleboheng Mabetha of Phatlalla in Mohale’s Hoek District appealed to the construction company to recruit community members, including young people from villages along the project area.

The event was attended by, among others, the Minister of Law and Justice, the Member of Parliament for Mount Moorosi Constituency, senior government officials, chiefs, community councillors and members of the public from different villages in Moyeni Constituency.