HEAVY traffic that impacts negatively on businesses around the Thetsane Industrial Area is a result of poor road infrastructure and design within the Thetsane constituency.
business
July 16, 2021
NEO SENOKO
2 min read
Traffic congestion negatively impacts business
Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro
The constituency which is home to Prime Minister Dr Moeketsi Majoro is host to a number of small businesses as well as several textile and apparel firms that have created employment opportunities for many people, mainly women.
The congestion that is normally seen in the area on a daily basis, particularly in the early hours of the morning and late afternoon, is a challenge to both individuals and businesses in the area.
With the textile and apparel firms affected by the situation, it means Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is under threat.
It means a lot of time is unnecessarily spent on the road rather than on production.
Studies have shown that improved road infrastructure is an indispensable tool in facilitating the creation of a single socio economic space that would lead to free movement of goods and persons.
But, despite these and other notable impacts, those tasked with road maintenance in and around the Maseru city drag their feet and spend unprecedented amount of time fighting over machinery that should otherwise be used to maintain these roads.
Dr Majoro on Monday warned government officials to refrain from this behaviour and work together towards achieving a common goal of road maintenance in and around the city.
This, he said this during the launch of the construction and maintenance of rural and urban roads in the Thetsane constituency on Monday.
“Government officials should stop fighting over this equipment because it belongs to Basotho. That means it should be used for the benefit of this nation towards the construction and maintenance of roads,” the Prime Minister also said.
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The launch, he said marks the beginning of more work to be done in all the towns across the country.
The event was graced by the presence of the Minister of Local Government, Lehlohonolo Moramotse, his deputy Selemo Mangobe, the Maseru town clerk and other senior government officials.
Dr Majoro said the heavy traffic in the area began around 2013 shortly after construction of the three traffic circles along the Thetsane road, starting with the one separating Ha Thetsane from Maseru Mall.
These traffic circles, Majoro said are too small and as a result cause a lot of congestion in the area, urging those in charge to urgently address the matter.
He said the rehabilitation of the area will also include a bypass road that will link Thetsane to Masianokeng all the way to Mafeteng.
These bypass roads, he said will contribute massively towards reducing the heavy and endless traffic.
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