Moroke Sekoboto
THE Roads Directorate has commenced the design phase for the upgrading and construction of a 45-kilometre road from Ha Matlali to Lebakeng in Qacha’s Nek District.
The M1.4 billion project is expected to be completed within four years.
China International Water & Electric Corporation has been awarded the contract and is expected to employ 85 percent of local unskilled labour required for the project.
Speaking at the contract signing ceremony held yesterday at the Roads Directorate headquarters in Maseru, Director General Teboho Mokhoane said the road runs from Ha Matlali through Mosenekeng to Lebakeng, linking the Lebakeng Constituency with Qacha’s Nek town via the A4 Road.
Mr Mokhoane said the road is currently an unengineered gravel road that terminates at the Lebakeng Clinic parking area. He added that the project also includes a 1.4km access road to Melikane Combined School.
“The total road length is approximately 45 kilometres and the project duration is 48 months. The total cost is M1,409,511,553.08, inclusive of VAT and contingencies. The road is classified as a Secondary Connector Road, intended to improve access to rural and remote communities, strengthen connectivity between Qacha’s Nek and Thaba-Tseka districts, and contribute to an integrated rural transport system,” Mr Mokhoane said.
Mr Mokhoane noted that the project is expected to benefit about 1,777 households, impacting approximately 8,652 people.
“The road upgrade will significantly support local tourism development by enabling activities such as hiking, mountain biking, 4×4 trails, pony trekking, eco-tourism and adventure tourism. Improved access will attract both local and international visitors.”
He further explained that the project will improve access to markets, particularly for wool and mohair farmers, provide year-round access to the Lebakeng Airstrip, enhance its operational viability beyond medical evacuations, and facilitate the movement of goods and services in the remote region.
Mr Mokhoane said the current road poses serious safety and social challenges, as multiple stream crossings lack proper drainage structures, making travel dangerous during rainy seasons.
“Periodic washouts disrupt the movement of people and goods. Children often miss school due to impassable roads. The Mosenekeng community also struggles to access Lebakeng Clinic, mainly because of difficulties crossing the Senqu River. The project will address these challenges through improved road design, drainage systems and the construction of a bridge across the Senqu River.”
The upgraded road will improve access to several schools, including Melikane Combined School, LEC Primary School, Rasekoele Primary School, Lehata Primary School, Likileng Primary School, Ramokakatlela Primary School, Mosenekeng Primary School and Quthu Primary School.
Health facilities to be served by the road include Melikane Clinic, Libobeng (Lebakeng) Clinic, Qacha’s Nek Hospital and the proposed Matebeng Clinic.
Mr Mokhoane said the Ha Matlali–Mosenekeng–Lebakeng Road project is a strategic infrastructure investment aligned with the Roads Directorate’s mandate and national development goals. He said it will enhance accessibility, safety, economic activity, service delivery and tourism, while contributing to poverty reduction and regional integration in one of Lesotho’s most remote areas.
Turning to other projects, Mr Mokhoane said the Roads Directorate manages approximately 6,005 kilometres of the national road network, comprising 30 percent paved roads, 50 percent gravel roads and 20 percent earth and track roads.
According to the 2022 Road Condition Index assessment, paved roads are in fair condition at 46 percent, while unpaved roads are in very poor condition at just 1 percent.
He said the Directorate’s five-year strategic plan aims to improve paved roads from fair to good condition, upgrade unpaved roads from very poor to fair condition, and complete missing links to ensure all districts are connected by paved roads.
Several strategic projects are already underway or in preparation, including the Leribe–Thaba-Tseka (Katse) Road, which has secured World Bank financing, and the Taung–Sehlabathebe Road via Matebeng Village, currently at feasibility and design stage.
“The Matlali–Lebakeng Road is currently at the design-and-build contract stage and will connect to the main corridor at Ramokakatlela Pass and Matebeng Village. It forms a critical part of the national strategic road network,” Mr Mokhoane said.
Also speaking at the ceremony, China International Water & Electric Corporation Country Manager, Cao Xuefeng, expressed appreciation to the Roads Directorate and the Government of Lesotho for the trust placed in the company.
Mr Xuefeng said the project is a vital infrastructure investment for Qacha’s Nek, and the company is fully committed to delivering it in accordance with contractual obligations, applicable standards and local requirements.
