Africa-Press – Namibia. MINISTER of works and transport John Mutorwa on Wednesday launched at the latest phase of the rehabilitation of the Rundu-Divundu road, which has been damaged by trucks transporting copper from Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) to the port of Walvis Bay.
Mutorwa said the road forms part of the B8 trunk road, which stretches from Otavi to Ngoma at the Botswana border.
He said from an international point of view, the road completes the link between Walvis Bay and neighbouring Zambia, which provides a vital trade route to Zambia, the DRC, Malawi and Zimbabwe.
It also forms part of the Trans-Caprivi Corridor, known as the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Corridor.
“This route is most notably used for transporting copper from mines in northern Zambia and southern DRC to the port of Walvis Bay,” the minister said.
Mutorwa said the road was constructed between 1988 and 1994 and has exceeded its 20-year design period.
He said the condition of the road has deteriorated due to good rains Namibia has received in the area and a high frequency of heavy vehicles using the road.
This has necessitated the Roads Authority to start with the rehabilitation of the road in August 2021, he said.
Phase one and two, covering a combined 23,5 kilometres, were successfully completed, while phase three would cover a total of 78km.
“The Namibian government is fully committed to ensuring the road network in our country is constructed to the highest standards and maintained regularly to facilitate commercial trade throughout Namibia, and to improve mobility and safety of all road users in the country.
“The rehabilitation of this road will have a positive impact on the socio-economy of the surrounding areas, and the entire Namibian population will benefit from the safe access.
“It is the objective of the Namibian government to continue striving to rehabilitate and develop major road links to attract meaningful investment. Thus, our gathering here today is testimony to that commitment,” Mutorwa said.
The rehabilitation of the road is fully funded by the government through the Road Fund Administration to the tune of N$194 million.
China Henan International Cooperation Group, a Chinese-owned company, has been appointed to rehabilitate the road.
Work is expected to commence next month.
Kavango East regional governor Bonifatius Wakudumo at the event said the Rundu-Divundu road continues to play a key role in developing and taking the country further due to its strategic links with neighboring countries such as Angola, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.
He said the road also contributes to the increased access of rural communities to better services in both rural and urban centres.
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