Roads Directorate Reports Progress and Challenges in National Stakeholder Workshop

The Roads Directorate (RD) held a national stakeholder consultation workshop in Maseru yesterday, presenting updates on road infrastructure development while outlining internal challenges in its new strategic plan. The workshop is part of RD’s effort to engage road users, development partners, and other stakeholders ahead of implementing its 2026–2031 Strategic Plan. Established under the Roads Directorate Act of 2010, the institution is responsible for planning, constructing, and maintaining Lesotho’s national road network.

During the workshop, RD Director General Teboho Mokhoane reported notable progress in improving connectivity and transport efficiency. He announced that about 200 kilometres of paved roads have been completed, a development that enhances movement between towns and rural areas. These upgrades aim to support economic activities, reduce travel times, and improve access to services across the country.

Mr. Mokhoane also highlighted improvements in urban lighting. He revealed that approximately 1,600 functional street lights have been installed in major towns, including Maseru Urban, Teyateyaneng, Botha-Bothe, and Mafeteng. The installations are designed to improve road safety and public security during night-time hours, addressing long-standing concerns from road users and local communities.

In addition, the directorate has constructed around 30 footbridges in rural villages. These structures support safe pedestrian movement in flood-prone areas, particularly where rivers obstruct community access during the rainy season. The footbridges aim to prevent accidents and improve connectivity for residents in remote regions.

Despite these achievements, RD’s new strategic plan acknowledges ongoing institutional challenges. The directorate faces constraints such as outdated design standards, weak ICT infrastructure, a non-functional monitoring and evaluation system, and poor contract management. Staff shortages and slow internal processes, particularly in procurement and payments, further hinder project efficiency.

The consultation workshop provided a platform to discuss these challenges with stakeholders, identify solutions, and outline strategic priorities for the next five years. RD emphasized the importance of collaboration with development partners, road users, and government entities to ensure timely project delivery and improved infrastructure quality.

Looking ahead, the Roads Directorate plans to strengthen internal systems, modernize its ICT and monitoring frameworks, and improve staff capacity to deliver on its 2026–2031 Strategic Plan. Stakeholders at the workshop expressed support for these initiatives, highlighting the need for continued investment in sustainable, safe, and resilient road infrastructure across Lesotho. The workshop underscores RD’s dual focus: celebrating measurable achievements while acknowledging and addressing internal limitations to drive long-term progress in Lesotho’s transport sector.