N$1bn Chinese grant for airport road
The Chinese government will provide N$1.1 billion in financing for the construction of the road leading from Windhoek to Hosea Kutako International Airport.
In an exclusive interview, Chinese charge d'affaires Li Nan told Namibian Sun that China had signed a government grant agreement with Namibia to provide assistance in financing the road project. According to Li the paperwork was completed and it was just a question of providing the money. The road is being built in two phases. The N$1.1 billion financing is for the second phase. The first phase was funded by government.
Phase one entails the construction of an 8.4-kilometre dual carriageway between Windhoek's Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue and the extension of Sam Nujoma Drive to the southeast of the city.
Under phase one, ten new bridges and three interchanges will be built. Construction has commenced on this phase, but is still in an early stage.
Two existing bridges over the railway line and the Arebbusch River will be widened and rehabilitated to increase their lifespan.
Phase two will start from the Sam Nujoma Drive interchange to Hosea Kutako International Airport, covering more than 30 kilometres.
Li further elaborated on the possibility that China might be interested in financing the upgrading of Hosea Kutako International Airport.
According to him Namibia must first submit a detailed project plan and design before China would take a decision.
He said once the specific details were available they could discuss whether financing would be feasible or not.
“Until then we cannot promise anything.”
Asked whether China would be interested in a private-public partnership should they agree to finance the airport upgrade, Li said it was too early to say.
ELLANIE SMIT
In an exclusive interview, Chinese charge d'affaires Li Nan told Namibian Sun that China had signed a government grant agreement with Namibia to provide assistance in financing the road project. According to Li the paperwork was completed and it was just a question of providing the money. The road is being built in two phases. The N$1.1 billion financing is for the second phase. The first phase was funded by government.
Phase one entails the construction of an 8.4-kilometre dual carriageway between Windhoek's Mandume Ndemufayo Avenue and the extension of Sam Nujoma Drive to the southeast of the city.
Under phase one, ten new bridges and three interchanges will be built. Construction has commenced on this phase, but is still in an early stage.
Two existing bridges over the railway line and the Arebbusch River will be widened and rehabilitated to increase their lifespan.
Phase two will start from the Sam Nujoma Drive interchange to Hosea Kutako International Airport, covering more than 30 kilometres.
Li further elaborated on the possibility that China might be interested in financing the upgrading of Hosea Kutako International Airport.
According to him Namibia must first submit a detailed project plan and design before China would take a decision.
He said once the specific details were available they could discuss whether financing would be feasible or not.
“Until then we cannot promise anything.”
Asked whether China would be interested in a private-public partnership should they agree to finance the airport upgrade, Li said it was too early to say.
ELLANIE SMIT
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