Millions spent to maintain Etosha roads
Ministry addresses ‘misconceptions’
Not a day goes by without the need to maintain something in any of the national parks, Muyunda said.
More than N$40 million has been spent on the Etosha National Park’s roads, which are largely in a good condition - with the majority being rehabilitated or maintained on a continuous basis.
This is according to a statement issued by the tourism ministry to clarify what it termed ‘misconceptions’ and ‘widespread perceptions’ that Etosha is in disarray, with roads and other facilities in a bad state.
Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry - in collaboration with stakeholders - has invested in the park’s roads.
“From this end, a total of 195 kilometres has been constructed and completed, consisting of 69km between Sonderkop and Olifantsrus and 126km between Olifantsrus and the Galton Gate, including the Dolomite detour to the coast - to the cost of N$35 million.”
He said the ministry is currently constructing an 86km stretch of road from Ozonjuitji M’bari to Okaukuejo, which is expected to cost N$7.3 million.
Meanwhile, the ministry is also facilitating the implementation of a recent Cabinet-approved road maintenance strategy to cater for other road sections, totalling 213km, he added.
“The road construction project includes a low volume seal road, emergency borehole drilling and infrastructure for borehole pumping.”
‘Worst’ sections targeted first
Muyunda, however, admitted that there are a few exceptions, particularly in the park’s eastern section between Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni where roads require maintenance.
He said this is primarily due to the fact that all graders used for road maintenance are being repaired.
As soon as these graders are repaired, work on levelling the roads and bringing them up to acceptable standards will begin, targeting the ‘worst’ sections first, he said.
“At this point, we would like to remind all our road users, particularly whose driving heavy vehicles, to adhere to the speed limit set in the park. Overspeeding leads to a shorter lifespan of park roads.”
He added that there is not a day that goes by without the need to maintain something in any of the national parks.
“We have noticed that some prominent people have gone around the park sniffing for bad things. If you look for it, you will find it.”
These same individuals have also spread lies that fires in Etosha are not attended to, he said.
According to Muyunda, there have not been any fires in the park for more than a month and all previous fires reported in Etosha and nearby areas were attended to.
The ministry has a comprehensive fire management strategy that addresses both fire suppression and prevention, he added.
Disturbing trends
“Our waterholes are generally in a good condition. As with any infrastructure or facility, there might be some technical issues affecting the pumping of water, but these are quickly attended to by our officials whenever they are observed or reported.”
The ministry further reminded tour operators who conduct tours in Etosha that they are equally responsible for ensuring that the park infrastructure is preserved by adopting responsible behaviour.
Muyunda said they have noted disturbing trends where tourists are allowed to drive off-road and over the speed limit as well as litter and jump out of vehicles. All of this tarnishes the reputation and image of Etosha, he said.
This is according to a statement issued by the tourism ministry to clarify what it termed ‘misconceptions’ and ‘widespread perceptions’ that Etosha is in disarray, with roads and other facilities in a bad state.
Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said the ministry - in collaboration with stakeholders - has invested in the park’s roads.
“From this end, a total of 195 kilometres has been constructed and completed, consisting of 69km between Sonderkop and Olifantsrus and 126km between Olifantsrus and the Galton Gate, including the Dolomite detour to the coast - to the cost of N$35 million.”
He said the ministry is currently constructing an 86km stretch of road from Ozonjuitji M’bari to Okaukuejo, which is expected to cost N$7.3 million.
Meanwhile, the ministry is also facilitating the implementation of a recent Cabinet-approved road maintenance strategy to cater for other road sections, totalling 213km, he added.
“The road construction project includes a low volume seal road, emergency borehole drilling and infrastructure for borehole pumping.”
‘Worst’ sections targeted first
Muyunda, however, admitted that there are a few exceptions, particularly in the park’s eastern section between Okaukuejo, Halali and Namutoni where roads require maintenance.
He said this is primarily due to the fact that all graders used for road maintenance are being repaired.
As soon as these graders are repaired, work on levelling the roads and bringing them up to acceptable standards will begin, targeting the ‘worst’ sections first, he said.
“At this point, we would like to remind all our road users, particularly whose driving heavy vehicles, to adhere to the speed limit set in the park. Overspeeding leads to a shorter lifespan of park roads.”
He added that there is not a day that goes by without the need to maintain something in any of the national parks.
“We have noticed that some prominent people have gone around the park sniffing for bad things. If you look for it, you will find it.”
These same individuals have also spread lies that fires in Etosha are not attended to, he said.
According to Muyunda, there have not been any fires in the park for more than a month and all previous fires reported in Etosha and nearby areas were attended to.
The ministry has a comprehensive fire management strategy that addresses both fire suppression and prevention, he added.
Disturbing trends
“Our waterholes are generally in a good condition. As with any infrastructure or facility, there might be some technical issues affecting the pumping of water, but these are quickly attended to by our officials whenever they are observed or reported.”
The ministry further reminded tour operators who conduct tours in Etosha that they are equally responsible for ensuring that the park infrastructure is preserved by adopting responsible behaviour.
Muyunda said they have noted disturbing trends where tourists are allowed to drive off-road and over the speed limit as well as litter and jump out of vehicles. All of this tarnishes the reputation and image of Etosha, he said.
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