The Roads Directorate has resumed maintaining roads countrywide starting on Monday this week.

According to the Roads Directorate Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Nozesolo Matela, the project focuses on the 802-kilometre road which includes 10 main roads.

She mentioned such main roads as Main South 1 and North 1, Mants’onyane to Thaba-Tseka, Tikoe, Likalaneng, St. Michaels, Ha Lejone, Hlotse, and Pitseng to mention a few, saying Kofi Annan and Mohoeshoe I roads will be excluded as they are due to be redesigned and reconstructed.

She said the road maintenance includes amongst others, filling potholes, clearing rocks which fell on the roads, drainages, cleaning site rails and cutting grass and bushes.

She further said it is more than 20 years since the roads have been constructed but due to a lack of funds for annual maintenance, the Directorate found it befitting to use the resources it has to maintain roads.

She also said road maintenance will improve road safety as accidents which are usually caused by potholes will be reduced.

Mrs. Matela added that due to limited funds, the Directorate advised itself to hire casual labourers from villages along roads which will be maintained, saying Basotho nationals with diploma in civil engineering qualifications will also supervise the project countrywide.

She, therefore, mentioned that at least 850 jobs will be created in this project.

The project which will cost M16 million will end in March 2023.

The Roads Directorate was established as a department under the Ministry of Public Works and Transport primarily for better service delivery and more effective and efficient management of the road network.

It was established as a corporate body by the Roads Directorate Act of 2010.

Source: LENA 07/07/2022