Rundu’s N$16m road-maintenance project underway
After facing criticism from the Road Fund Administration (RFA) in 2022 for its failure to utilise allocated funds for road improvement, the Rundu Town Council has taken a decisive step towards addressing the long-standing issue of deteriorating roads.
The council recently announced the commencement of a N$16 million road-maintenance project on three major roads - Haingura Mise (N$8.2 million), Elizabeth Nepemba and Maria Mwengere (N$6.2 million).
Spokesperson Benjamin Makayi told Namibian Sun that most of the roads were damaged by the rain.
“The funds to rehabilitate Elizabeth Nepemba Street and Maria Mwengere Street were acquired through the RFA, while the N$8.2 million for Haingura Mise Street was sourced by the council.
“After the rehabilitation of these roads, there will be surplus funds, which will be used to try and fix largely damaged roads by clearing out old tarred roads and tarring new ones. The council has also taken the decision to change Markus Siwarongo Street from a one-way to a two-way road. A total of N$2.5 million has been budgeted for this project,” he said.
“We also projected about 10 roads to be upgraded from sandy to gravel roads in our informal settlements. However, this will only be done once more funds are made available. But it is in council’s plans to upgrade some roads in the informal settlements and we believe this will assist even in cases when ambulances have to drive inland.”
Makayi admitted that there are more roads that need to be upgraded.
“It’s not that the three aforementioned roads are the only important roads. Council is also looking into repairing all damaged roads, however, due to the limitation of funds, council is only able to do so much at once,” he said.
Safety hazards
In 2022, RFA CEO Ali Ipinge visited Rundu and expressed concern over the town's failure to utilise the N$5.5 million allocated to it for road improvements.
At the time, mayor Gabriel Kanyanga cited a lack of engineers to oversee and manage the technical aspects of road maintenance as the reason.
Residents have long voiced their dissatisfaction with the condition of the town’s roads, citing safety hazards and damage to vehicles as major concerns.
The N$16 million allocated to the project is expected to cover a range of improvements, including road resurfacing, pothole repairs and general infrastructure upgrades.
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The council recently announced the commencement of a N$16 million road-maintenance project on three major roads - Haingura Mise (N$8.2 million), Elizabeth Nepemba and Maria Mwengere (N$6.2 million).
Spokesperson Benjamin Makayi told Namibian Sun that most of the roads were damaged by the rain.
“The funds to rehabilitate Elizabeth Nepemba Street and Maria Mwengere Street were acquired through the RFA, while the N$8.2 million for Haingura Mise Street was sourced by the council.
“After the rehabilitation of these roads, there will be surplus funds, which will be used to try and fix largely damaged roads by clearing out old tarred roads and tarring new ones. The council has also taken the decision to change Markus Siwarongo Street from a one-way to a two-way road. A total of N$2.5 million has been budgeted for this project,” he said.
“We also projected about 10 roads to be upgraded from sandy to gravel roads in our informal settlements. However, this will only be done once more funds are made available. But it is in council’s plans to upgrade some roads in the informal settlements and we believe this will assist even in cases when ambulances have to drive inland.”
Makayi admitted that there are more roads that need to be upgraded.
“It’s not that the three aforementioned roads are the only important roads. Council is also looking into repairing all damaged roads, however, due to the limitation of funds, council is only able to do so much at once,” he said.
Safety hazards
In 2022, RFA CEO Ali Ipinge visited Rundu and expressed concern over the town's failure to utilise the N$5.5 million allocated to it for road improvements.
At the time, mayor Gabriel Kanyanga cited a lack of engineers to oversee and manage the technical aspects of road maintenance as the reason.
Residents have long voiced their dissatisfaction with the condition of the town’s roads, citing safety hazards and damage to vehicles as major concerns.
The N$16 million allocated to the project is expected to cover a range of improvements, including road resurfacing, pothole repairs and general infrastructure upgrades.
[email protected]
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