Vice President Lucia Witbooi inspected progress made on the DR3607 Oshakati-Ompundja low-volume seal road Phase One project in the Oshana Region.
The project is implemented by the Roads Authority (RA) and involves the extension of the existing surfaced section of the DR3607 road, which traverses an urban area within Oshakati townlands.
The road project aims to enhance accessibility for peri-urban communities around Oshakati, which serves as the regional centre. It is classified as a high-priority road within the Oshana Region Roads Master Plan.
"I am pleased to hear about the progress on the road. Having proper road infrastructure is crucial for various reasons, including the need for accessible routes that connect our villages with minimal challenges, as well as for the economic benefits it brings," said Witbooi. "Therefore, the importance of proper roads cannot be overstated. We commend our eighth administration for prioritising the upgrade of this road."
The upgrade is expected to enhance interregional connectivity, reduce travel time, lower road user costs, and minimise traffic-related accidents. The entire road section is more than 40 kilometres long, including the existing earth track starting in Ompundja. The portion earmarked for upgrading to low-volume sealing standards is approximately 15.5 kilometres.
Once completed, the road will form a crucial part of Southern Africa's tourism infrastructure. Construction progress currently stands at more than 36% ahead of schedule, with completion expected within the next six to seven months.
"I am also happy to hear that you are ahead of your completion schedule, so please keep it up and let us complete the road on time. Often, I am unsure about the source of the delays, but there are always setbacks in the completion dates, which result in costs exceeding your budget. This is your road, but it is not yet complete; the contractor has abandoned the project, along with many other related issues that have arisen."
Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge is happy that villagers and farmers with cattle posts in the southern part of the region will reach farms easily, while schools will be connected to the road network.
"This road will pass through two constituencies, Oshakati East and Ompundja, and it will benefit people living in the southern part of the region, as there are no other tarred roads leading there; this is the first road of its kind."
Oshoveli Hiveluah, the Divisional Manager of Network Development at the Road Authority, expressed their commitment to completing the road on time.
"This road will be completed in record time. We wish to assure you that we will render the necessary support to the road contractor company because this project is one of the initiatives we need to start to work together to make the vision of the current administration a reality."