The Governor of the Otjozondjupa Region has appealed to the Roads Authority (RA) to consider upgrading several roads in the region to full bitumen standard.

James Uerikua said the upgrades are needed as the roads are of national interest.

Governor Uerikua advanced his arguments to the national leadership during the official opening of the Windhoek-Okahandja freeway.

Otjozondjupa as a region predominantly drives Namibia's agriculture and mining sectors, linking it with seven other regions.

Uerikua reckons that because the region serves as a vital transit route, road usage will inevitably increase.

The Roads Authority has several nationwide and regional interventions in the pipeline.

These are, however, all subject to additional funding from the Treasury.

Namibia's road network stretches over 48,000 kilometres long, with 4,500 kilometres of paved roads.