Oshakati-Omungwelume road tarring to be completed soon

The Roads Authority (RA) has announced that the remaining 30km Oshakati-Omungwelume road is to be tarred next year. RA spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said a lack of funds has been delaying the project since the government first announced plans to resurface the 36km road in 2009. Users of the road have over the years complained about its dangerous condition, especially during the rainy season when it becomes muddy. There were also concerns by motorists that the road can no longer cope with the increasing traffic flow. The Oshakati-Omungwelume gravel road, which connects to Ongenga, was built at a cost of N$5.4 million in 1993. In 2006, the road was tarred, but the surface was destroyed two years later when the North experienced heavy rain and floods. Bridges on the road were washed away while potholes developed on the road, forcing motorists to use alternative routes. After the end of the flood season, the government rebuilt the destroyed bridges, removed the damaged tarred surface of the road and tarred about 6km of the road. “Once the design is done, we will know the cost of construction. We will advertise tenders soon after that and we can expect work to start in the next financial year around May,” Fillemon said this week. OSHAKATI MERJA IILEKA