Regional road networks to be upgraded

The government has prioritised upgrading the Okahandja-Hochfeld-Otjozondu-Okondjatu roads to tar as part of the Roads Authority’s Integrated Business Plan.

Some of the roads earmarked for upgrading are Omaheke and the Du Plessis-Epukiro road to link to Eiseb Block.

Talismanus Road is also up for upgrading to tar to join Otjombinde-Eiseb Block to Gam Settlement, which will link with Tsumkwe-Grootfontein MR74 Road.

At Tsumkwe, the envisioned gravel road of Sikerete will be linked to Khaudum-Ndiyona to join the Trans-Zambezi Highway. 

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, says, “When everything is said and done, Omaheke will be connected to Otjozondjupa here. Omaheke-Otjozondjupa will be connected to Kavango East. Omaheke-Otjozondjupa will be connected, instead of you going back to Gobabis or Grootfontein, but connected right at Ndiyona to join the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Corridor Road or the Trans Zambezi Highway. It is in the document. Whether, during the implementation, Mutorwa is still the Transport Minister is immaterial. It is in the document. Whoever comes, this is one of those projects that must be practically implemented. Again, it’s connecting the country. Making life easier for development. “

Otjozondjupa Regional Governor, James Uerikua, also revealed that the Grootfontein-Tsumkwe-Gam road ground breaking will take place in April next year.

” The Roads Authority has done what you call detailed design. The Roads Authority is now in the process of acquiring a contractor that will eventually commence the first part of the road. That is from the junction up to Rooidag, because this road is segmented into four different segments because of budgetary issues, designs, and technicalities. So it’s a road that we look forward to too. Information has it that hopefully, Godwillingly, and when everything actually is on our side, on April 1, 2024, the honorable minister, myself, and you as communities will be witnessing the groundbreaking ceremony, where the physical construction of this road has to commence.”