Botswana Budgets US$288 Million For Transport Schemes
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The government of Botswana has allocated Pula 3.95 billion (US$287.7 million) for the Ministry of Transport and Public Works in its development budget proposal for the 2024/25 financial year. This constitutes the second-largest share, or 13.3%, of the overall proposed development budget.
The funds will support ongoing road infrastructure projects such as traffic signal modernisation and centralised traffic control for Greater Gaborone as part of the Botswana Integrated Transport Project and the Makalamabedi-Motopi, Mmandunyane-Mathangwane and Gaborone-Boatle schemes.
The budget will also cover upcoming road projects to be executed using the development manager model.
These schemes include the dualling of the Mogoditshane-Gabane-Mmankgodi Junction road as well as the construction of roads linking Maun-Sehithwa; Sehithwa-Mohembo; Mohembo-Gudigwa; Shorobe-Kachikau; Francistown-Nata; Nata-Maun; Nata-Kasane; Mmathethe-Bray-Werda; Palapye-Martin’s Drift; Modipane-Mabalane; Mabalane-Mmaphashalala; Ghanzi Junction 44-East/West Hanahai-New Xade; and the Molepolole Bypass.
Additionally, the budget will cover projects at the design stage, including the Medie-Lentsweletau road and the access road to Gaborone central business district, and at the pre-contract stage, such as the three grade-separated interchanges at Molapo Crossing, Block 8 traffic circle and airport junction.
The transport budget also includes allocations to advance proposed rail schemes, specifically the Mmamabula-Lephalale joint project with South Africa be developed as a public-private partnership (PPP) and the Mosetse-Kazungula railway link to Zambia.
The 2024 budget speech was delivered to the National Assembly on 5 February by finance minster Peggy Serame. A total of Pula 17 billion will be invested in infrastructure in the coming financial year, including in the ongoing village electrification programme and water supply and sanitation programmes.
Serame told the assembly that the government would continue to use PPPs to accelerate the implementation of infrastructure projects in the year ahead. A standalone PPP Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation and due to be presented to parliament before the end of 2024 to provide a stronger legal framework for private sector participants.
The minister noted that three PPP projects are currently at the procurement stage: the Tshele Hills petroleum storage project, the Ikaegeng XTL PPP and the Gaborone wastewater reclamation scheme.
“It is expected that negotiation and signing of the contracts, as well as mobilisation of funding by the private partners, will be undertaken during the 2024/25 financial year,” Serame said.
The deadline for submitting proposals to design, finance, construct, operate, maintain and transfer the Tshele Hills oil storage development is 19 April 2024.
Photo: Botswana road construction (Source: Facebook @Ministry of Transport and Public Works)
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