The German government has provided Namibia with N$32.3 billion in development funding since 1990, official figures show.Â
The German Embassy says currently, KfW Development Bank is actively managing a portfolio of 36 projects, amounting to N$12.9 billion, while 22 projects valued at N$6.6 billion are in the pipeline.Â
This comes as KfW Development Bank, on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, has made available to Namibia a N$372.6 million concessional loan to co-finance the rehabilitation of the road between Karibib and Usakos in the Erongo region.
Zhong Mei Engineering Group was awarded as the main contractor, while four local contractors, namely Ino Investment Holdings CC, Tangeni OM Trading CC, West Trading CC and Alugodhi Trading CC, have been selected to work in collaboration with the main contractor.
A representative of the German Embassy, Thomas Feidieker, noted the importance of including local companies in the project, following their training through the Namibian-German cooperation in various joint projects.Â
“Approximately 25.18% of the total contract value has been reserved for Namibian contractors, creating approximately 500 employment opportunities for Namibians during the construction phase. The construction work is expected to be completed within 18 months,” Feidieker revealed.
A ground-breaking ceremony, held last Friday, marked the commencement of the rehabilitation of the 30-kilometre road between Karibib and Usakos.
John Mutorwa, the Minister of Works and Transport; Neville Andre Itope, the Governor of Erongo Region and Conrad Lutombi, the CEO of Roads Authority were among the dignitaries who witnessed the event.Â
“We can finally commence the rehabilitation works on this project, which we all know will be life-changing once completed. I am confident that all the speakers here today will echo my sentiments that this project is important nationally and internationally as it links to the port of Walvis Bay,†he said at the event last week.
He reiterated the Roads Authority’s commitment to creating a conducive environment that empowers and capacitates local contractors to undertake road projects of varying sizes and complexities in Namibia.Â
Meanwhile, Mutorwa highlighted the importance of improving Namibian roads and railways in enhancing the country’s competitiveness as a transit point for imports and exports, particularly for land-locked countries in southern Africa.
“As a developing country, we must continue to make these efforts towards achieving our national development plans, which are the building blocks of Vision 2030,†Mutorwa said.
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