Africa-Press – Namibia. Residents of Oshikango, Ondobe and surrounding areas have petitioned Oshikango and Ondobe constituency councillors, highlighting the deteriorating condition of the main gravel road connecting Oshikango to Ondobe.
They claim to have lost patience with the government’s reluctance to upgrade the road which has been deteriorating of late as it is crucial for the well-being and development of their community.
The community has demanded the upgrading of the road to a tarred road.
This road is a vital link to numerous essential services, including schools, health facilities and government offices such as Odibo Catholic School, Odibo St Mary Senior Secondary School, Odibo Combined School, Onengali Combined School, Edundja Junior Secondary School, Edundja Junior Primary School, Oshikango Constituency office, Edundja Clinic, Hamukoto Wakapa Clinic, Edundja ministry of agriculture office and many other facilities.
The group’s chairman and spokesperson, Gabriel Jeremia, said the condition of the road frequently causes damage to vehicles.
“The rough terrain causes excessive wear and tear on vehicles, resulting in frequent breakdowns and costly repairs for both government and private car owners. This is the major problem, especially during the rainy season since it is the only accessible road,” he said.
The residents further said the worsening condition of the gravel road is severely affecting their daily lives, hindering development, and posing a risk to national security.
They pointed out that emergency services, including police and medical personnel, experience significant delays when responding to incidents, putting lives at risk.
The community raised environmental issues as the road raises excessive dust when vehicles pass, which becomes a health hazard, leads to soil erosion and air pollution, which negatively affect the environment and public health and can be avoided if the road is tarred.
They also noted that maintaining a gravel road is costly, requiring frequent repairs, while a tarred road would significantly reduce ongoing maintenance costs.
Residents also highlighted the road’s strategic importance for border security, as it leads to checkpoints along the Namibian – Angolan borders, where law enforcement agents struggle to respond effectively due to the road’s poor state.
Jeremia said upgrading the road would enable quicker response times and better control of illegal cross-border activities.
Improved infrastructure would attract investors, encourage business development, and create jobs for local communities, he added.
The group submitted their petition to the Oshikango councillor Esther Nghidimbwa.
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