The Deputy Prime Minister, John Mutorwa, is pleased with the drought relief food distribution in the Kavango West Region.

Mutorwa embarked on a visit to all 14 regions to assess the distribution of drought relief aid. 

The Kavango West Region has eight constituencies with more than 27,000 people registered for drought assistance.

Only 2,000 households are benefiting from the programme. 

Four privately owned trucks distribute the food aid from one warehouse in the Kavango West region.

A group of cyclists from Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa, raising awareness about the significance of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor, has arrived in Namibia.

The cycling initiative is a first step toward the elimination of tariff barriers erected at the borders and within countries.

Welcoming the cyclists at the Mamuno-Trans Kalahari Border Post in the Omaheke Region, the Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, highlighted the significance of the corridor in economic development and cooperation between member states.

Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa is concerned about the delays in the distribution of drought relief food in the regions. 

Mutorwa visited the Kavango East Region to acquaint himself with the exercise. 

More than 44,000 people have been affected by the drought in the Kavango East Region. The region received its first consignment of drought relief food in October last year.

Mutorwa stated that the government considers the drought relief programme a high priority.

Namibia's Minister of Works and Transport and his Botswana counterpart are happy with the progress made so far with the implementation of the Trans-Kalahari Railway Line Project.

The two ministers briefed the media on the development at Swakopmund during a Joint Ministerial Committee meeting.

The bilateral Trans-Kalahari Railway Line is expected to link the Port of Walvis Bay via Gobabis to Botswana and the SADC to enhance trade in the region.

The Minister of Works and Transport had an extensive briefing on Wednesday with his senior staff and CEOs of parastatals that fall under his ministry.

After welcoming the staff for the new year, John Mutorwa had to answer a number of questions posed by the media. 

These include, among others, a N$2.6 billion loan to TransNamib for the upgrading of the railway network, the state of the country's airports, and the registration of new engineers.

The Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, has raised concern over the pressure that road traffic accidents put on the health care system.

Dr. Shangula was contributing to the motion tabled by Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, about extra charges for overloading.

The country, Dr. Shangula says, faces a public health crisis from deaths and injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, tabled the motion in the National Assembly to minimise road damage and proposed that overloading offences be legalised as administrative ones.

The current legislative framework for road traffic and transport offences is the Road Traffic and Transport Act 1999 and the Criminal Procedure Act 1977, Act No. 51 of 1977.

Mutorwa raised his concerns, stating that the legislative regulatory framework for the Road Traffic and Transport Act is not fully complied with and acted in accordance with, making it inefficient.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.

The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.

The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.

The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.

The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.

The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.

The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.

A delegation from Uganda that was in the country this week for benchmarking says all their expectations were met in learning from Namibia's road infrastructure.

Speaking during the feedback meeting, Ugandan Minister of Works and Transport Ecweru Francis said they came to Namibia to learn because Namibia occupies a very impressive position on road networks, both at the continental and global levels.