Poor roads remain a daily struggle for residents of remote Kunene communities, causing delays in accessing emergency services. 

The situation is evident along the stretches connecting Orumue, Otjinungua, Onyuva, Ondiye and Etanga.

Farmers are forced to spend their hard-earned money repairing vehicles damaged by the rough terrain. 

Kunene Governor Vipuakuje Muharukua emphasised that this is more than an inconvenience.

"The reality is that, for some, this is an adventure or an opportunity for tourism. For others, it may be an inconvenience to service delivery. However, for the residents of this region and the Kunene Region, particularly those living beyond this stretch of road, it is a daily challenge."

The governor stressed that poor roads could mean the difference between life and death when emergency medical assistance is needed.

"Imagine an ambulance that has to go through this stretch of road to get to an expecting mother. Imagine an ambulance that has to get through this road to a person bitten by a snake. How much money are those lives worth?"

While acknowledging Kunene's infrastructure challenges, Muharukua highlighted ongoing development plans, including the Epupa road, and the economic opportunities linked to the proposed Cape Fria harbour.

"This stretch of road forms part of the access routes leading to the much-anticipated Cape Fria Harbour. It is therefore expected to unlock significant logistics potential, not only for Namibia but for the entire SADC region."

Muharukua added that the Roads Authority has assessed sections requiring urgent attention, but substantial funding is needed to make them usable.