The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has underscored the crucial role the road network plays as a lifeline of communities. 

He said this while officiating at the opening of the recently rehabilitated portion of the Tses to !Gochas B1 road between Keetmanshoop and Mariental. 

Co-funded by the Namibian government and KfW Development Bank, the road was constructed for N$613 million over 34 months. 

"They connect us; they facilitate trade and commerce, provide access to education and healthcare, and allow us to explore and experience the full richness of our country. By investing in this rehabilitation, the government of the Republic of Namibia is investing not only in our present generation of people but also in those who will come in the future after us." 

Equally, he commended the participation of SMEs on the road project. 

"Big work, maybe we are not yet there, but the SMEs must be supported in case of road construction by the Roads Authority and the ministry in terms of training, in terms of availing to them certain specific works as it happened here so that they grow and become bigger companies that can tackle bigger projects on their own."

Also on hand to witness the event were the Regional Governors of the ||Kharas and Hardap regions, officials, and the CEOs of the Road Fund Administration and Roads Authority.

The road project is said to have created more than 800 indirect and direct jobs during its construction period.