Africa-Press – Namibia. ROAD Fund Administration (RFA) chief executive officer (CEO) Ali Ipinge has expressed his disappointment over the fact that no pothole has been fixed at Rundu since January.
This is despite the contribution the fund makes to the Rundu Town Council to maintain its roads, he said during the official commissioning of the rehabilitation of Sam Nujoma Drive phase two at Rundu on Friday.
“Roads are key economic and social progression enablers, and our drive as an institution is to make sure we create value for road users wherever they are,” he said.
Ipinge said the RFA supports over 57 local authorities and 14 regional councils countrywide to maintain rural roads, and that it is part of RFA’s role as an institution to ensure national roads are maintained to support economic development and integration to attract investment in Namibia.
“I have been at Rundu since Wednesday, and had the privilege to drive on some of the bitumen and gravel roads, and sadly, from January up to now, there has been no improvement of the roads – except on the first phase of Sam Nujoma Drive, which was completed recently,” he said.
Ipinge said there has been no improvement on the roads despite the fact that a contractor and a consulting engineer had been appointed. “I almost went into a depression after driving on the road with the Rundu Town Council CEO, and there is no visible improvement,” he said.
He said he does not understand why no pothole has been repaired since January if a contractor was appointed for four months, and receives funds through the RFA.
“We have, as an organisation, a duty towards the road user that contributes towards the road fund, to make sure they get value for their money,” he said. Ipinge said the RFA would meet with the management of the Rundu Town Council in the coming week to discuss the issue.
The RFA boss, together with the minister of works and transport, John Mutorwa, visited Rundu in January to assess the progress on road construction projects at the town.
Meanwhile, Kavango East region governor, Bonifasius Wakudumo, sent a message to officials in government institutions and ministries who, according to him, do not want politicians to intervene in the development of the region.
“I want to assure you that for as long as I am the governor of this region, I will make sure you do your work correctly. As the regional head it is my duty, regardless of what positions you hold, to make sure you comply with what needs to be done,” he warned.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
