Ohangwena, Oshikoto road projects boost job creation
OMUNTELE – More than 1 000 different jobs were created during several road construction projects in the Ohangwena and Oshikoto Regions between 2016 and 2017.
The minister of works and transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, during the official opening of two roads in the respective regions last week said main contractors and sub-contractors were involved in the process, as well as upcoming SMEs and community members in the different areas who also benefitted.
“As you all are aware, the government has a responsibility to create an enabling environment for job creation and while on its own, the creation of new infrastructure stimulates the private sector to create jobs; the government has a responsibility to undertake projects that also create new, direct jobs,” !Naruseb said.
He officially inaugurated the 71 km Etomba-Omundaungilo gravel District Road (DR) 3624 in Ohangwena, as well as the 47.4 km Uukwiyuushona-Omuntele-Amilema DR 3683 connecting the Oshana and Oshikoto regions.
!Naruseb emphasised that the completion of the roads will contribute significantly to the development of the two regions, as various environmental and social benefits such as the increase in public transport for the people who do not own vehicles, are expected from this project.
“Moreover, agriculture, which is the main economic activity in these areas, will benefit from increased trade and cheaper inputs and the roads will also facilitate access to external markets, thus promoting the development of alternative economic activities,” he said.
The construction of the two roads were co-financed by the Development Bank of Germany (KfW) and the Namibian government.
The roads were built over a combined period of over two years at a cost in excess of N$200 million.
The director of the KfW in Windhoek, Uwe Stoll, noted that the construction of these roads is mainly aimed at improving living conditions for the local population, while enabling them to access schools and health care facilities all year round.
“This labour-based project will also at a later stage include 88 km of gravel road in the Kavango West Region, as well as the construction of river crossings and drainage structures for the first time in the Kunene Region,” Stoll said. - Nampa
The minister of works and transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, during the official opening of two roads in the respective regions last week said main contractors and sub-contractors were involved in the process, as well as upcoming SMEs and community members in the different areas who also benefitted.
“As you all are aware, the government has a responsibility to create an enabling environment for job creation and while on its own, the creation of new infrastructure stimulates the private sector to create jobs; the government has a responsibility to undertake projects that also create new, direct jobs,” !Naruseb said.
He officially inaugurated the 71 km Etomba-Omundaungilo gravel District Road (DR) 3624 in Ohangwena, as well as the 47.4 km Uukwiyuushona-Omuntele-Amilema DR 3683 connecting the Oshana and Oshikoto regions.
!Naruseb emphasised that the completion of the roads will contribute significantly to the development of the two regions, as various environmental and social benefits such as the increase in public transport for the people who do not own vehicles, are expected from this project.
“Moreover, agriculture, which is the main economic activity in these areas, will benefit from increased trade and cheaper inputs and the roads will also facilitate access to external markets, thus promoting the development of alternative economic activities,” he said.
The construction of the two roads were co-financed by the Development Bank of Germany (KfW) and the Namibian government.
The roads were built over a combined period of over two years at a cost in excess of N$200 million.
The director of the KfW in Windhoek, Uwe Stoll, noted that the construction of these roads is mainly aimed at improving living conditions for the local population, while enabling them to access schools and health care facilities all year round.
“This labour-based project will also at a later stage include 88 km of gravel road in the Kavango West Region, as well as the construction of river crossings and drainage structures for the first time in the Kunene Region,” Stoll said. - Nampa
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