The Khorixas–Fransfontein–Kamanjab gravel road, which was constructed 64 years ago, will soon be upgraded to a tarred road, linking it to major national routes.

Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi says the upgrading of the 105-kilometre stretch is part of the government’s broader efforts to enhance the national road linkage network.

According to Nekundi, the road works form part of phase two of a project aimed at connecting the 100-kilometre Swakopmund–Henties Bay route with the 96-kilometre Henties Bay–Uis road.

“Last week, we finally signed the contract to upgrade the road between Kamanjab and Khorixas at the value of 1.3 billion dollars. We work on our promises, and we work on deadlines. Nothing unusual; we are now doing things extraordinarily – business unusual.”

Construction is set to begin on the 15th of May.

“The company must be on site not later than the 15th of May. I also want to inform you, Goab and Chiefs here, that on that project we will create around 300 jobs, and my directive is it must be people from Kamanjab and Khorixas.”

Nekundi also announced that construction on the Henties Bay–Uis road is expected to be completed by October this year, followed by the Uis–Khorixas route.

The minister issued a stern warning to contractors, stating that a penalty of 25 million dollars will be imposed on those who fail to complete the project on time or who do not allocate at least 15 per cent of the work to SME sub-contractors.