Residents of the Otjinene Constituency have raised concerns over the poor condition of roads in the area. They say the situation has been ongoing for years, affecting residents who depend on these roads to travel to Otjinene.

The residents say roads leading to Ombujonjama, Okatjana, Ombujomungondo and Okambonde villages are amongst those needing urgent attention.

The residents say the poor roads have now become both a humanitarian and economic concern. They have given the constituency councillor 14 days to respond to their petition, noting that they will approach the Prime Minister's Office if their concerns are not addressed.

They also questioned how often these roads are graded and whether there is proper monitoring after the work is done. 

"Have we asked ourselves as residents how many times per month these roads should be cleared? We don't know, and that's why we don't work on this situation, and after the roads have been cleared, does someone come and observe?" questioned Nomozondi Tjazirapi.

The motorists are even facing fines when they reach Otjinene because of damage their vehicles suffer on the roads.

Hilma Kauari is the principal at Otjiuaneho Primary School.

"Just 40 kilometres going or coming from Otjinene, your light is off, and when you reach this side, the traffic is standing there; he or she will need their money because of the light that is not on, or maybe your windscreen is broken due to the stones. When the car passes by, obviously because it is a gravel road, the rocks hit your screen."

Otjinene Constituency Councillor Eben-ezer Kauapirura says he understands the concerns and will take them up with the relevant authorities.

"I also own a car, and I also know some of the raised concerns about our road conditions, and I'm going to take their consent to the relevant authorities and make sure that they also get the reliable answers that they really need, and we also have to know that even the police cars and the government cars, as well as the ambulance, are also driving on those roads, and they also suffer the same damage as the local community members' cars, so we are aware of the current concern."