The Mpilo Boulevard intersection project Consultant, Mr. Molefe Nthabane says the multi-million project will see many Basotho getting employment, thus reducing unemployment rate.
Speaking with the Agency, Mr. Nthabane mentioned that even though he is at a stage where he cannot confirm total numbers of those who will gain employment due to micro and macro factors that may surround the project, he has called villagers nearby project sites to start registering their names with community councils.
He stipulated that many of these roads will be made through Interlocking Concrete Block Pavement one of the best ways to ensure road sustainability and requiring numerous people to work on it, hence job opportunities.
This he said will reduce or rather replace the tarred road which only caters for more machinery as opposed to accommodating more people.
Mr. Nthabane added that the intersections in an overall is meant to cover Maseru Central Constituency, adding this will be done in six zones categorically, reduce accidents which were happening in large numbers alongside Mpilo, ease traffic while also enabling all road users to freely use the road.
Therefore, he noted that soon, they will be starting construction of a road next to the high court indicating construction sites are already placed there, saying Old Europe and Katlehong, that nearby villagers will also benefit from this initiative.
Other areas to be worked on include Maseru Club, IEMS, Pioneer and Maseru Toyota and Moshoeshoe road to mention a few. The Consultant operating under NAM Consultant (PTY) LTD is working along with Chinese contractors and other companies including the local ones.
The Agency established that this project has been on the government’s drawing board since 2014 in a document called the ‘Maseru Urban Study.’ The plan amongst others has been not limited to expanding roads.
Major delays were reported to have been caused by litigation amongst various parties, with courts having resolved the matter accordingly. This project is meant to be completed for a period not exceeding two years.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
