The Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Authority (RA), Conrad Lutombi, has rubbished claims that he awarded the Usakos-Karibib road construction tender to Chinese nationals.

His response follows allegations that the company gives preference to foreign contractors at the expense of locals.

Lutombi addressed a media briefing in Swakopmund, saying the county will not compromise on the quality of roads by relaxing set requirements to make room for unqualified contractors, especially on high-traffic roads.

He admits that the requirements may be high for Namibian contractors, judging from their low participation in the tendering process.

However, he said the requirements are in the best interest of the country to ensure that the roads are of good quality and will last for years.

He indicated that any compromise on the quality of roads could cost the company N$120 billion in rehabilitation.

"These roads that we are driving today were constructed 50 years ago, and at that time traffic was very low, but because they were constructed at high quality, that's why today we are still having them. If we compromise on quality, 10 years from now, these roads will be gone. What are we doing for the next generation? That's not sustainability. Let's meet our needs today without compromising the needs of the next generation."

The Usakos-Karibib road construction project will be co-financed by the German government.

About 500 people will be employed once the contract is awarded and construction begins in July.