A N$2.5-billion upgrade is underway for the Opuwo to Okangwati and Epupa road, among others, to enhance regional connectivity and foster infrastructure development in the Kunene Region
Dunamis Consulting Engineers have been appointed to oversee the initiative as consultants and project managers. The project has progressed with the completion of the feasibility study and design.
The road is intended to provide access to the envisaged Orokawe hydroelectric dam.
According to Dunamis, the traditional authority of Orokawe is hesitant to approve the construction of the dam. Negotiations are ongoing, and the outcome of these negotiations will have a major influence on the construction of the road.
This development follows oversight visits by the National Council’s Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure, and Housing to assess the state of roads in Kunene and other regions.
The visits, conducted from 7 to 31 August 2023, shed light on the intricate challenges faced by the region’s road infrastructure network.
“The distribution of the road infrastructure network in Kunene is largely influenced by the vastness and the sparsely distributed inhabitants of the region,” the report highlighted.
Notably, the eastern and south-eastern parts of the region boast a more pronounced road infrastructure.
Recent strides in road infrastructure development were highlighted, including the upgrade of Verda to Ruacana and Omakange to Opuwo roads to bitumen standards.
Additionally, substantial investments were made in the Kamanjab Village Council, with N$670,000 allocated for the blading and re-gravelling of roads.
The report also addresses the meticulous maintenance efforts, such as the rehabilitation of roads and bridges damaged by storm water and the re-gravelling of roads in Fransfontein, Okangwati, and Sesfontein.
“Maintenance of the roads and bridges that were washed away by rain storm water; re-gravelling of roads in the three settlement areas of Fransfontein, Okangwati, and Sesfontein at an average annual budget of N$600,000,” said the committee.
The Committee noted that the construction of roads in the Khorixas informal settlement, coupled with road maintenance in Khorixas, further exemplifies the commitment to comprehensive infrastructure development.
Meanwhile, the region has faced challenges, including the upgrading of the Opuwo to Sesfontein road, which faced funding shortages during the 2017/18 MTEF.
“The road works were listed under the 2017/18 MTEF; however, due to a shortage of funds, the project was not allocated funding,” noted the report.
However, the report remains optimistic about future endeavors, citing the Roads Authority’s estimated N$52 million budget for re-gravelling and maintaining regional gravel roads.
“The Governor, Marius Sheya, has coordinated the identification of priority needs for the road infrastructure, and the regional councillors have submitted their respective needs to that effect,” the report added.
Despite challenges such as frequent road washouts, bridge destruction, budget constraints, mountainous terrain, and cultural resistance, the government’s commitment to advancing road infrastructure in Kunene remains unwavering.
