…as it consults stakeholders over new strategic plan
Moroke Sekoboto
THE Roads Directorate has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of the national road network, enhancing accessibility and ensuring financial sustainability as it consults stakeholders on its new strategic plan.
The Directorate also aims to strengthen legal and policy frameworks, improve operational efficiency and build staff capacity. These priorities are geared towards improving 80 percent of the road network to good and fair condition by 2031, strengthening technical project execution by 80 percent, and enhancing environmental and socio-economic sustainability.
Speaking at a stakeholder consultation meeting held this week at Lancers Inn, Roads Directorate Director General, Teboho Mokhoane, said the current strategic plan (2022–2026), which includes a one-year extension, was an outcome-based strategy anchored on four perspectives.
Under the stakeholder perspective, Mr Mokhoane said the directorate completed more than 200 kilometres of paved roads, including Mpiti–Sehlaba-thebe, Marakabei–Monontša, Moshoeshoe and Koffi Annan Roads, Masianokeng–St Michaels–Roma, and ’Malesaoana–Botha–Bothe.
“We now have more than 1 600 functional streetlights in Maseru CBD, Mafeteng township, Motsekuoa, Thaba-Tseka, Teyateyaneng and Botha-Bothe,” Mr Mokhoane said.
“We introduced an emergency response programme using a force account system, re-gravelled more than 250 kilometres of gravel roads, rebuilt bridges across the Tsoaing, Koro-Koro and Lijabatho rivers, including Ha Jimisi, completed the Road Reserve Roll-out Programme and constructed over 30 rural footbridges.”
He added that the directorate has awarded more than 150 contracts for consulting services, construction, rehabilitation and maintenance, with a combined value exceeding M4 billion.
On the financial perspective, Mr Mokhoane said the capital budget had improved significantly over the past three years, rising from M300 million to M1.7 billion from government funding, and from M110 million to M300 million from the Road Fund. In addition, the directorate secured USD120 million (about M1.9 billion) in International Development Association (IDA) financing for the upgrading of the Thaba-Tseka–Katse Road and the Moshoeshoe I International Airport runway and ground lighting.
Under the internal business process perspective, he said several policies and strategies were reviewed and approved by the board to strengthen governance and operational efficiency. From a people perspective, the directorate implemented a Performance Management System, strengthened capacity building, enforced discipline and compliance, attracted skilled personnel and introduced a Graduate Development Programme, particularly in Civil Engineering.
“We also completed organisational and salary restructuring and, most importantly, rebranded our institution. While we have recorded notable successes under the current strategy, which concludes at the end of this financial year, challenges remain, including delayed payments to consultants and contractors and some implementation gaps.”
He said the new strategic plan introduces measurable objectives across six strategic areas, including revenue diversification and streamlined procurement.
“We will leverage technology and performance management systems to ensure the strategy is not only visionary but practical and implementable. The Roads Directorate is the custodian of 5919.14 kilometres of the national road network,” he said.
He explained that of this network, 1992.48km are paved, 2813.7km are gravel, and more than 1000km remain earth roads and tracks.
“These roads are not merely lines on a map. They connect districts, urban centres and border posts, facilitate trade and sustain our economy. Roads are critical enablers of socio-economic development, regional integration and national resilience.”
He added that the strategic plan 2026–2031 responds to challenges such as ageing infrastructure, climate-related disruptions and limited budgets.
“Our new strategy is anchored on six key performance areas, ranging from improving road quality to enhancing staff morale and financial sustainability. It aligns with the Extended NSDP II, the SADC Protocol on Transport and Meteorology, and the African Union Agenda 2063. We remain committed to SDG 9 on resilient infrastructure. However, the Lesotho Road Management System shows that we require about M3 billion per year over the next decade to restore and preserve the road network,” he said.
Also addressing the meeting, Roads Directorate Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Moeketsi Matia, said the consultations would shape the implementation phase by aligning priorities with national development objectives and sectoral goals.
“We wanted to clarify expectations for the next five years, validate priorities, align the strategy with stakeholder expectations and strengthen cross-functional collaboration,” Mr Matia said.
One of the participants, Thesele Mokoma from Pemahn Consulting, welcomed the initiative but stressed that implementation would be key.
“This was a good initiative because it brought together many stakeholders, but without strong enforcement mechanisms, implementation will remain a challenge. Such meetings should be held regularly to allow stakeholders to provide input and to review achievements and challenges. There must also be a clear communication strategy,” Mr Mokoma said.
He further emphasised the importance of maintenance programmes, noting that poor maintenance leads to higher long-term costs.
“We cannot invest in expensive projects and then fail to maintain them. The longer a road is left without maintenance, the more costly it becomes to rehabilitate,” he said, adding that road maintenance programmes could also create jobs for local communities.
Mr Mokoma also said that, under the Roads Directorate Act of 2010, the directorate is mandated to build capacity among small- and large-scale local contractors, a role he said was not being fully realised due to reliance on foreign firms.
