The Road Fund Chief Executive Officer Mr. Nkekeletse Makara has urged Road Implementing Agencies to strive to do quality road works at all times, so that maintained roads last longer.
He said this when officially opening the Technical Stakeholder Engagement Meeting with Road Maintenance Agencies representatives, organized by the Road Fund recently.
He said the current year is particularly challenging due to the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, which have affected the Fund’s revenue streams negatively, explaining that as a result the Fund had performed below revenue target.
Mr. Makara said the resources are therefore limited, hence need to focus on building quality roads than ever before adding that this would ultimately reduce the road maintenance costs as the roads will last for their anticipated economic life.
“It is worrying that most of the road works are not able to survive one rainy season. This shows that Agencies do not pay attention to quality as contractors are working, please rectify this mistake,” he reiterated.
He concluded by asking participants to device a unified approach to ensure that every Agency remains consistent while doing maintenance works, as that would be good not only for the Financier but also for the road users whom the money is collected from as well.
During the Meeting, participants revisited the Service Level Agreements between the Fund and the Agencies in order to clarify them for better compliance.
The negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the revenue collection efforts of the Fund was discussed at length to ensure that all stakeholders present appreciated all the effects on their anticipated project from a budget perspective. The discussion was followed by Implementing Agencies’ progress reports on road maintenance projects sponsored by the Fund.
The Road Fund maintains relations with its stakeholders at various levels and this meeting will lead to the High Level Stakeholder Engagement Meetings, where the Road Fund CEO will discuss with Heads of the Implementing Agencies. Representatives attended the meeting from Roads Directorate, Maseru City Council and Ministry of Local Government and Chieftainship.
