Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi is pleased with the progress made on the Oshakati-Ompundja low-volume seal road in the Oshana region.
The 90-kilometre section road from Santorini at Oshakati will pass through three constituencies, Oshakati East, Ompundja and Uuvudhiya, going through to Naluvanda Gate at Etosha and is valued at N$167 million.
Nekundi wants the road to be finished within the time frame and budget, and quality should not be compromised.
The road is expected to be completed in three years' time to provide access to the road users, farmers and residents who will use it to travel to various destinations such as hospitals, clinics, schools, markets and cattle posts, among others.
"The primary thing is that we must provide our people with access roads; it is feeding into main roads. That is why it is a feeder road and access road, and there are thousands of people living in those areas, and when it rains, it is very difficult to access school facilities. This is not a luxury road; there are also farmers in that area; therefore, it is a combination of a social road and an economic road."
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.
The road is classified as a high-priority road within the Oshana region's Roads Master Plan, and Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge is happy about the progress on the road as well.
"The road is progressing very well. I am very happy and satisfied since the colleagues started. I never experienced any complaints or maybe contractors leaving the site because of payment. I know there will be problems when it comes to payments on time, but I know that is resolved."
Nekundi also assesses progress on the Okatana-Amutanga tarred road, which started in 2024, whose second phase kicked off in January this year and now stands at 65% complete.
The road stretches 8.9 kilometres from Okatana to Onanime village to provide access to schools, churches and community development centres that are usually cut off when it rains.