Picture: The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua/Supplied
By OBAKENG MAJE
13 August 2026 – The North West MEC for Public Works and Roads, Elizabeth Mokua held a successful stakeholder engagement with the community members of Boskuil and Oersonskraal in the Maquassi Hills on Thursday, to give an update on the planned upgrading of Road D1954 from gravel to a surfaced road. Mokua said the stakeholder engagement provided an opportunity for the department to share details of the planned project, outline the implementation process and engage the community on the anticipated benefits of the road upgrade.
She further said given the length and scale of the project, the department will implement the road upgrade as a multi-year project which is anticipated to be rolled out in two phases with the first one being implemented in the last quarter of the current financial year. Mokua added that the first phase includes a 12.5km road project extending from the N12 to the railway line in Boskuil.
“The upgrade will significantly improve mobility and accessibility for communities in the area, while supporting safer and more reliable movement of people, goods and services. The department has completed the design process and is progressing with preparations for the procurement of a contractor.
“The project will also provide opportunities for local participation through work opportunities, training and the involvement of local enterprises through sub-contracting during implementation,” she said.
Mokua emphasised that the department’s mandate is centred on ensuring that government remains accessible to communities and responds directly to the needs of the people. She said their mandate is to come closer to their communities and ensure that they deliver services to the people.
“As government, we have a responsibility to listen to our communities, understand their challenges and respond by delivering infrastructure that improves their daily lives. Road infrastructure remains central to the functioning and development of communities as it connects people to essential services and economic activity.
“I would like to further emphasise the importance of continued engagement between government and communities throughout the implementation of infrastructure projects. We want our communities to be part of this journey,” said Mokua.
She said they must continue to engage, listen to one another and work together to ensure that this project delivers the impact that the people deserve. Mokua said infrastructure belongs to the communities and they all have a responsibility to protect and preserve it.
“The D1954 road starts from D5655 road north of N12 to D156 road south of N12,” she said.
The Guardian 