A five-year memorandum of agreement to assist with rehabilitating and upgrading roads in Katima Mulilo was signed between the Katima Mulilo Town Council, Road Fund Administration and Roads Authority.

The town council's Chief Executive Officer Rafael Liswaniso said the long-awaited development would not only transform the town but also bring economic growth.

"We have identified six key roads that are earmarked for upgrading and resurfacing, that is Dr. Hage Geingob Avenue, Dr. Sam Nujoma Drive, Muhinda Kalinki-Muhinda Kabajani to Sam Nujoma Drive, Namwater to Sam Nujoma Drive, Natis Makaravani West road and the B8 national road, including the weighbridge, these roads are the lifeline of our town connecting communities and facilitating economic growth."

In addition, Liswaniso says the 900-meter Lifasi road, funded by RFA which is currently under construction is set to be completed before the end of 2023.

On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of RFA, Ali Ipinge, emphasised the importance of RFA's mandate in capacity building and giving support to local authorities to build good roads and be able to maintain them, while the Roads Authority CEO, Conrad Lutombi said that deployment of resources to the identified roads should begin, as well as road designs. 

"We want to make sure that when a project starts that it is completed on time, that the designs standard meets the requested standard to make sure that when the road is built or upgraded, it can take or it can last for its designed life standard."

"We are committed to making sure that by September or October, we should be able to start with one of the projects, of course, the town council will decide on which one is very critical but from our side, we want to take advantage that when the contractor is here we do as much as possible."

The Zambezi Regional Governor who was also present at the signing asked that companies capable of doing a great job should be considered to avoid bad quality work on roads.

"Those who are coming to do the job, please they must have a better CV, we don't want to see short work on our roads, short work I mean, the road is fixed today, but after 3 days it's already in shambles, people who are coming with rakes and wheelbarrows to make a road it's not necessary."

Among others present at the occasion, were the CEO of Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Katima Mulilo Mayor as well as local authority councillors.

The five-year agreement is effective from 2023 to 2028.