Hertta-Maria Amutenja
Onesi Constituency residents are calling for the urgent upgrading of the Epalela-Onesi-Tsandi gravel road to a bitumen standard.
The road, which links agricultural areas, remains in poor condition despite years of petitions and promises. Residents say the state of the road is hampering development and daily life.
Naftali Nuuyoma, a member of the Onesi Constituency Community (OCC), explained the significant challenges caused by the road’s poor condition.
“The condition of the road has greatly affected us. It runs through agricultural areas, and farmers rely on it to transport their produce to markets in Outapi, Oshakati, and Tsandi. The poor state of the road has caused vehicles to break down frequently, and it is particularly difficult for the ambulances that need to transport patients. It’s extremely bumpy and uncomfortable,” Nuuyoma said.
In 2022, the community raised a petition calling for the road’s upgrade, but progress has been slow. Nuuyoma said only a five-kilometre stretch has been improved.
“In 2022, we submitted a petition requesting the upgrade of the road. This issue has been on the agenda for both regional and national authorities for a long time. We were told the road would eventually be upgraded to a bitumen standard, but so far, only a small section has been improved.”
Another activist, John Shimbilinga, emphasised the community’s collective effort to raise awareness.
“The community within the Onesi constituency organised themselves and established a committee to raise awareness towards Onesi constituency development, headed by Nuuyoma, and I am a committee member. We organised and mobilised the community in terms of development, and the first priority was road infrastructure, specifically the gravel road between Epalela-Onesi-Tsandi to be upgraded to a bitumen standard,” Shimbilinga explained.
Shimbilinga also pointed out how the road impacts other essential services.
“Every development is attached to road infrastructure. Health, education, and other basic needs are top priorities. Pregnant women and other sick people who need urgent treatment are using this road to either the Tsandi or Outapi state hospitals. Learners and learning materials that need to reach different schools are also affected, especially during the rainy season,” he said.
The community committee has engaged with local authorities, including the Constituency Regional Council and the Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority.
Despite assurances that the road was budgeted for and construction would begin soon, no visible progress has been made.
“After several years, the committee requested the confirmation letter from the constituency councillor, but to no avail, which forced the committee to engage the regional governor of Omusati and organise a demonstration,” Shimbilinga explained.
Shimbilinga urged the new government to deliver on its promises.
“We are having a new government with the theme ‘No business as usual’, so I am urging every responsible person and authority attached to this task to fulfil their promises. The Minister of Works should establish an investigation committee specifically to find out why this road has been either ignored or diverted for almost 30 years now.”
A petition submitted to the governor’s office in December 2022 called for the road’s upgrade, emphasising its importance for access to vital services. The petition also highlighted the economic and social benefits the upgrade would bring to the Onesi and Tsandi constituencies and the Omusati region.
Regional Governor Erginus Endjala acknowledged the issue last month but noted financial constraints. He explained that although the road is a priority, funds are currently insufficient.
“We have two roads under construction—the Tsandi-Onesi and Tsandi-Ogulumbashe roads. We expect to see improvements in this financial year. Inspectors have assessed the damage, and a report will determine which road receives funding first. The Ministry of Works and the Roads Authority control funding, not the regional council,” Endjala said.
Attempts to reach the acting Uukolonkadhi Traditional Authority Chief, Malakia Shoombe, for comment were unsuccessful.
Shoombe declined to comment, stating he was uncomfortable on the phone, as he could not confirm the identity of the person on the other end.
