The Otjiwarongo Municipality says it will continue working hard to address road maintenance as it remains a vital component of infrastructure development for the town's thriving economy.
These are the sentiments of Otjiwarongo Mayor Gottlieb Shivute during the opening of the rehabilitated road sections of Rikumbi Kandanga and Henk Willems streets.
The two rehabilitated interlocked routes serve as smooth traffic access roads to businesses, schools, and residential areas.
Road upgrade works started in January this year.
"The completion of this project represents more than just upgrading of roads; it signifies improved safety for our pedestrians, reduced congestion for our motorists, and better connectivity between key areas of our town. These improvements will undoubtedly contribute to the vibrancy of Otjiwarongo, making it a more connected, inclusive, and resilient town," said Otjiwarongo Mayor Gottlieb Shivute.
The Otjiwarongo Council also entered into an MoU with COLAS Namibia for expertise in bitumen road maintenance, which is aimed to help prevent road deterioration and ensure longevity.
"This MoU symbolises the next chapter in our long-term vision of ensuring sustainable and high-quality road infrastructure for Otjiwarongo. Without proper care and rehabilitation, our roads will quickly fall into disrepair, impacting our daily lives, the efficiency of our transportation networks, and even the overall economic growth of our region."
Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chairperson, Marlene Mbakera, on behalf of the Governor, praised the council for the timely completion of the routes.
"The condition of our roads actually has brought great tension between even the political leadership in Otjiwarongo and in the region. As the mayor is rightly saying, he received backlashes. We would also call him in and say his worship what is going on, and he will explain, and you will explain the bureaucracies, the finances, the challenges. So many factors have brought us through the situation where we find ourselves as a constituency and as a town, but I'm happy that we have overcome."
The rehabilitation and realignment of the streets is a collaboration between the council, the Roads Authority, and the Road Funds Administration.