OMUTHIYA — Namibia faces significant challenges in developing its road infrastructure due to insufficient funding and protracted procurement processes, according to discussions at a recent Road Master Plan consultative meeting in Omuthiya. This meeting highlighted the slow progress in upgrading vital roadways across the country.
According to Namibia Press Agency, an engineer with the Roads Authority and a technical expert at the meeting, of the 43 roads slated for upgrades since 2014, only six have been completed. The primary obstacles, Hatuikulipi explained, are the inadequate funding allocations and the cumbersome bureaucracy surrounding procurement processes. He noted, “The finances are hindering because they are not accommodating all the regions at the same time,” emphasizing the financial constraints affecting simultaneous development in multiple regions.
Hatuikulipi also pointed out that three major projects are currently prioritized due to their high costs: the freeways in Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, Windhoek to Okahandja, and Windhoek to Hosea Kutako International Airport. Additionally, there is an ongoing effort to identify key roads in the Oshikoto Region that are crucial for social and economic activities, including access to employment, education, health facilities, and pension payout points.
The Roads Authority plans to seek additional funding from the central government, the Road Fund Administration, and external donors, including development partners and the German Development Bank. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to revise the regional Road Master Plan initially set in 2014, which is now being updated to reflect new priorities and newly identified roads.
Mateus Kamati, Acting Chairperson of the Oshikoto Regional Council, emphasized the essential role of road infrastructure in regional development. Kamati stated, “Roads facilitate access to education and health care, support businesses, and attract investment, thereby laying the foundation for sustainable growth.” He called for collaborative efforts among residents, government agencies, private sector partners, and community representatives to effectively address these challenges and capitalize on potential opportunities.