The construction of a gravel road between Andara and Shamaturu in the Kavango-West Region will start soon.

Once completed, the road will ease the movement of people, increasing access to government services.

The road is to be constructed at a cost of N$30 million over a 12-month period, creating 100 temporary jobs.

Works and Transport Minister John Mutorwa pointed out that roads, especially in rural areas, are a means to accelerate development.

"For those that think that there is no need to put up a road to a place like here, you are wrong to think like that; the main challenge now is we must link our constituencies; we must link villages."

The 15-kilometre stretch of road to the Shamaturu clinic has not been easy for residents to negotiate, especially patients referred to the district hospital in Andara, as the current road can only be used with 4x4 vehicles.

"These gravel roads are more than just crushed stones, sand, and clay; however, they represent improved connectivity and access, access to opportunities, access to essential services, and access to each other. Many people cannot meet just because of the lack of a road; families and communities cannot connect just because of the absence of a road, so there are new opportunities," said Sidney Boois, the Roads Authority's Executive Officer of Transportation.

The Chairperson of the Kavango East Regional Council, Damian Maghambayi, appealed to the Minister to extend the road construction project to cover 53 kilometres.

"We propose phase one to focus on the Andara and Shamaturu section, the one that we are now going to inaugurate today, and we are also proposing phase two, from Shamaturu to Shamuñaru, and phase three from Shamuñaru via Shadhitata and Kanina, all the way down to Divundu."