Otjiwarongo: A newly constructed bridge connecting Otjiwarongo town centre to Orwetoveni Extension 16 and DRC informal area at the town was officially inaugurated by the Otjiwarongo Municipality on Thursday morning.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Otjiwarongo Mayor, Gottlieb Shivute, announced that the new bridge, named Kasikili, connects many isolated areas in the DRC informal settlement and Otjiwarongo Extension 16 to the services found in the central business district of the town. Mayor Shivute highlighted the challenges faced by residents of the informal settlements, who previously struggled to cross the 2.5 meters deep and 2 meters wide riverbed, where a tragic incident in December 2019 claimed the life of 30-year-old Elsie Shafooli.
Constructed with concrete and steel wires, the bridge is expected to remain in good condition for over 20 years. Mayor Shivute emphasized that with the upcoming regional and local authority elections in 2025, the Kasikili bridge should symbolize the goodwill and commitment of the Otjiwarongo council to serve its residents. He also urged the community to take care of the bridge, which is vital for accessing essential services like shopping, medical care, schooling, and fetching water.
Otjiwarongo Municipality Chief Executive Officer, Mberipura Hifitikeko, praised the quality of the bridge, noting it was constructed economically by a local company for approximately N.dollars 30,000. Residents expressed gratitude to the municipality for facilitating easier movement across the riverbed. However, community member Desiderius Joseph voiced the need for a larger bridge on the eastern side to accommodate vehicles in emergencies, while Nuuvo Nantinda mentioned that the new bridge will alleviate issues related to flooding during the rainy season.
