Maria David
THE Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa said that access to road infrastructure is essential to the country’s development.
He made the remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony that kick-started the road betterment works of the Onamafila road in the Ohangwena Region on Thursday.
The Onamafila road will be constructed by NEXUS Construction Company at the cost of about N$11 million.
The construction is expected to last six months, creating fifteen job opportunities for local residents.
Mutorwa said that his ministry aims to connect all the 14 regions to a proper road network with the aim of bringing services closer to the people.
“The difficulties of accessing needed services due to bad road networks should be something of the past for rural communities,” he said.
He emphasized that every Namibian has the right to demand services which are much needed in their area.
On his part, Road Authority (RA) Chief Executive Officer Conrad Lutombi said that the need for road infrastructure arises from the fact that there is a greater need for accessibility and smooth movement of people, goods and services especially in the rural areas.
Lutombi stated that it is imperative for them at RA to continue to improve and expand the national road network, more so in rural areas where most of the vulnerable members of the society live.
“The RA has constructed roads where there were none, expanding on existing roads, creating new routes, connecting people, communities and regions,” he said.
He added that they also shortened distances that would have otherwise taken longer and cost more of personal resources.
Further, Lutombi said that with the limited resources at their disposal, they continue to carry out their mandate of ensuring they deliver on road, most especially in the Ohangwena Region.
Currently, RA is busy with the rural accessibility program which involves the construction of 40 km roads to connect various schools and clinics. The project is already at 95% of completion.
In addition, the construction of the labour-based gravel road between Endola and Eembo, which commenced in June last year, will be completed in December this year, while the construction of the Onakalunga-Epinga gravel road is expected to be completed this month.
Lutombi indicated that Phase 1 of the rehabilitation of Onhuno-Eenhana main road is also progressing well and will be completed next year.
