Renthia Kaimbi
The new D4119 district road from Omulondo to Oshuuli in the Ohangwena region has been inaugurated.
Minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi and Ohangwena governor Kadiva Hamutumwa officially opened the 23-kilometre all-weather road on Friday, together with German development partners and local residents.
The road connects more than 2 000 people, two schools and a heritage centre.
The project cost N$53 million. The Namibian government funded 40% of construction, compensation and demining, while the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, through KfW Development Bank, provided N$31 million for construction and N$7 million for consulting.
Eponga Trading CC led construction, supported by Inauguration Investment CC and Olavi & Hope Trading CC.
The project forms part of long-standing cooperation between Namibia and Germany, which has delivered more than 600 kilometres of rural roads over the past 30 years. Another 200 kilometres are planned.
The Roads Authority implemented the project, with rural connectivity identified as a priority under the Sixth National Development Plan.
All contractors involved are Namibian-owned. Contracts were structured to support small and medium enterprises and build local construction skills.
“By using labour-based construction techniques, direct involvement of surrounding communities is increased, allowing them to participate as task workers and receive an income from the ongoing construction works in their vicinity. The approach has demonstrated clear socio-economic benefits: it creates employment, transfers practical skills, and stimulates local economies,” read a joint statement.
More than 9 300 workers have been employed under the programme, earning over N$92 million in wages. About 30% of the workforce are women.
Studies cited by the German embassy show that such roads reduce travel time by up to 30% and improve access to schools and health services.
Since independence, KfW has supported more than 1 700 kilometres of roads in Namibia, including trunk, district and access roads linked to economic hubs such as Walvis Bay.
Germany has provided more than N$32 billion in financial and technical support to Namibia since 1990.
Current projects under KfW are valued at about N$12 billion, with additional funding planned.
