The Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer, Conrad Lutombi, said the Windhoek-Okahandja road project, which has so far amounted to N.dollars 2 billion, will be completed by May 2024.
Lutombi said this during a media briefing on the progress of the project on Thursday, where he alluded to the number of challenges experienced during the construction of the roads.
“This was a big project that required optimal funding. We are happy that in this financial year we received adequate funding. The total for the Windhoek-Okahandja road was N.dollars 2 billion. As for materials, the contractors are hauling material from long distances, with some materials coming from as far as Karibib,” Lutombi said.
Lutombi added that this is a Harambee road project, and all finances have come from the Namibian Government. As for the contractors, this is a CMC-Otesa joint venture.
Speaking on the number of freeways constructed so far, Lutombi said there are the Windhoek-Okahandja, Windhoek-Hosea Kutako, and Walvis Bay-Swakopmund roads, and the Roads Authority also plans to construct a freeway from Windhoek to Rehoboth.
As for the other challenges experienced, the CEO said they had to look at where the communities would resettle and negotiate with the municipality to relocate these people, as well as deviate the road as a result.
“By the end of August, we plan to open the section of the road from Omakunde interchange to Gross Barmen interchange so that people can start enjoying these roads,” the CEO said.
Lily Brandt, Chairperson of the Roads Authority Board of Directors, said that the project is moving within the established timeline, especially since it was postponed during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the bridges have been built to a very high standard.
“This particular road is one of the most important roads that we have undertaken to build within the last five years, and it’s important for us to finalise it at least by May next year. It will improve the traffic between the coast, the northern regions, and Windhoek. And also improve the lives of people as a result,” Brandt said.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency