Allexer Namundjebo
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has urged residents to cooperate with road contractors as construction projects begin in the region.
Speaking at a meeting in Oshakati on Tuesday, he said full collaboration is needed to avoid delays.
“I am asking you all to cooperate. Please move your fences to give way to the contractors so they can do their jobs,” he said.
Iipinge called on village headmen to help educate their communities about the project to prevent disruptions.
“We are in contact with the headmen. They must all educate their residents about the project. Failure to cooperate will result in halting this government initiative,” he warned.
The road works will focus on villages such as Oshandumbala, Omeege, and Okaku-Kiipupu, linking Oshakati to Ompundja.
The projects follow complaints from residents who were left without road access after floods. Iipinge said the work will also create jobs for locals.
Oshakati East Constituency councillor Abner Shikongo said preparations for gravel road construction in his constituency are complete.
“We are awaiting the start of construction on the DR3607 road. It has been designed and is ready to commence,” he said.
He added that the road could be the first in Namibia to include access roads.
“The access roads are already planned, and the Ministry of Works and Transport has made arrangements for their construction,” he said.
These will be built after the main road is finished to improve access to schools, clinics, and other services.
On Tuesday, works and transport minister Veiko Nekundi launched the Omuthiya-Elambo road project. He announced that it will no longer be a gravel road.
The Omuthiya-Elambo road is budgeted at N$188.6 million and is expected to be completed in two years. The budget for the Oshana projects have not yet been announced.
