New interlocked road eases travel and life in Bethanie
Bethanie residents have hailed the recently completed N$900 000, 380-metre interlocked road project connecting the suburb to the Schmelendorf area as a life-changing development.
“The completed road infrastructure project ensures safe and efficient transportation within the community. Previously, when the rains came, we experienced big problems," village council chairperson Diederik Frederick said last week.
“This was a recurring issue,” he added.
He explained that the path linking the suburb to Schmelendorf became inaccessible during the rainy season.
“Water pools formed, preventing both vehicles and pedestrians from travelling to Schmelendorf, forcing us to take lengthy detours. The clinic is unfortunately located in that area, and residents were often cut off from this essential service. The completed interlocked road has changed this whole scenario for the better.”
RA assistance
Frederick explained that the council resolved to address the problem two years ago.
The project was initiated in 2022 and carried out in two phases at an estimated cost of N$900 000.
“The Roads Authority (RA) provided money to local authorities for road maintenance, and we suggested that the allocation be used instead to interlock the road, rather than continue with maintenance,” he said.
Frederick pointed out that the council had repeatedly carried out maintenance on the same road over the years without improvement. “We convinced the RA that it would be in the best interests of the community to adopt the interlocking option we had proposed.”
Job creation
A lot of work still needs to be done to interlock more roads in Bethanie, Frederick added, but he welcomed the 20 jobs created through the recent project.
“We moved away from simply doing maintenance by opting for interlocking, which is more durable and cost-effective," he noted.
"We also managed to create some jobs. These projects are implemented through contractors, and as councillors we insisted that they employ local people, because it is otherwise impossible for us to create employment here,” Frederick said.
“The completed road infrastructure project ensures safe and efficient transportation within the community. Previously, when the rains came, we experienced big problems," village council chairperson Diederik Frederick said last week.
“This was a recurring issue,” he added.
He explained that the path linking the suburb to Schmelendorf became inaccessible during the rainy season.
“Water pools formed, preventing both vehicles and pedestrians from travelling to Schmelendorf, forcing us to take lengthy detours. The clinic is unfortunately located in that area, and residents were often cut off from this essential service. The completed interlocked road has changed this whole scenario for the better.”
RA assistance
Frederick explained that the council resolved to address the problem two years ago.
The project was initiated in 2022 and carried out in two phases at an estimated cost of N$900 000.
“The Roads Authority (RA) provided money to local authorities for road maintenance, and we suggested that the allocation be used instead to interlock the road, rather than continue with maintenance,” he said.
Frederick pointed out that the council had repeatedly carried out maintenance on the same road over the years without improvement. “We convinced the RA that it would be in the best interests of the community to adopt the interlocking option we had proposed.”
Job creation
A lot of work still needs to be done to interlock more roads in Bethanie, Frederick added, but he welcomed the 20 jobs created through the recent project.
“We moved away from simply doing maintenance by opting for interlocking, which is more durable and cost-effective," he noted.
"We also managed to create some jobs. These projects are implemented through contractors, and as councillors we insisted that they employ local people, because it is otherwise impossible for us to create employment here,” Frederick said.
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