The Otjiwarongo Municipality has launched its 'roads and resurfacing' project for several pothole-ridden roads around town.

The Road Funds Administration will fund the N$92 million project, which will see the Libertine Amadhila tar road stripped down and repaved.

At the groundbreaking ceremony, Chief Executive Officer Mberipura Hifitikeko said the Otjiwarongo Council has been working tirelessly to address the pothole challenges amidst the heavy rains.

"In the past two or three weeks, we have stopped them from using bitumen because we thought we were throwing money into the ground. So we eventually resorted to using cement or ordinary sand to patch for as long as the rain continues, and then we can start with the works just after the rains have subsided. With this invaluable support from the Road Fund Administration and support from the Roads Authority, we have a chance to make a difference and changes that are going to last longer because we want to get to a stage where we do not have to patch potholes anymore but just do routine maintenance with the broader ways of working it works."

Within the next eight months, the routes to be upgraded are the Dr Libertina Amadhila, Bahnhof, Kandara, Rikumbi Kandanga, Virmos Bar, Manuel Somseb, Simentao, West Street, and Otji Bricks streets.

Road Funds Administration Chief Executive Officer Ali Ipinge said the funding was necessitated as town councils and municipalities face challenges with road works and maintenance.

"Sadly, it is this kind of challenge across most of our local authorities countrywide, and we have to fix the way we do maintenance. We have to do better, become better, at routine maintenance. The CEO has spoken about the investment that we have pledged to make over the next two years; 1 is already gone, so over the next two years, our commitment still remains the same. I think we're going to invest close to N$80 million between 2025 and 2026. And sadly, we are duty-bound as administrators to make sure that our, your resources that we manage on your behalf, are optimally used for the intended purpose. Hence, the tripartite agreement that the CEO has mentioned, which we signed in 2023, has three key requirements from the three parties."

The rest of the damaged streets will be resealed, including ongoing potshot patching.