Namibian roads: Conrad Lutombi deserves honour and recognition

Felix Tjozongoro Conrad Lutombi, the CEO of the Roads Authority (RA), is a seasoned business executive who is dedicated to developing Namibia and improving the quality of life for its citizens. Widely regarded as a goal-driven, performance-oriented individual, he values organising and mobilising groups of gifted and skilled individuals to work toward objectives that will benefit the entire country.The fact that Namibia was ranked first for having the greatest roads on the African continent during the reign of Lutombi as CEO of RA by the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitive Report Index of 2020 is just one of the honours that need to be bestowed on this son of the soil.I would like to single out one Namibian road that was a headache for decades and that perpetually took so many lives of Namibians and foreign visitors.This was the road between Windhoek and Okahandja before Lutombi ‘fixed’ it. Numerous head-on collisions, sloppy overtaking, irresponsible driving, and more have been witnessed on that portion of the road.Lutombi gave the Windhoek-Okahandja road renovation priority while serving as CEO of the RA. I recall that initially there were talks of building overtake lanes on that road, due to costs and other issues. However, in the end, a choice was made, and what we have now is a stunning double-lane stretch of road connecting Windhoek and Okahandja. Major traffic collisions and associated fatalities have almost completely disappeared from that road.Namibians can only be appreciative of the kind of leadership that prioritises the needs of its own people. Based on this, I plead with people in charge of naming streets or roads to give Lutombi the respect he deserves.Instead of recognising and admiring our people after they have passed away, we should learn to honour them while they are still alive. Give Lutombi his flowers while he can smell them.I request that Namibia’s largest interchange be given the name ‘Conrad Lutombi interchange’. This is in recognition of the important contribution he played in improving our roads.Conrad Lutombi Interchange, recently built, is a strategic interchange. It is the only location where all of Namibia’s highways converge. At this interchange, the road from South Africa via Keetmanshoop will connect to all other roads.The road from Botswana or Gobabis (new airport road), for example, will similarly link the rest of Namibia from the east at this location.The same may be said for the road from the north, i.e. from Angola, Zambia or Okahandja, which will eventually connect to the rest of Namibia. At this intersection, the “unfinished business” road from the west, or the unpaved road connecting Walvis Bay to Windhoek, also connects to the rest of Namibia.As a result, it is a very significant juncture since it links all of Namibia’s roads in a single location. It is Namibia’s hub for transportation. And this was constructed under Lutombi’s supervision and guidance.Like many other nations, Namibia honours notable presidents and historical people by naming streets and landmarks after them.The freshly constructed route between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund, formerly known as the road behind the dunes, was given the name Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba highway last year.In general, dedicating a roadway or road to someone’s honour can act as a physical reminder of their efforts and legacy and can aid in preserving their memory for future generations. A company leader’s achievements in the community or industry, such as Conrad Lutombi, might be recognised by renaming a street or a road in their honour. It serves as a means to commemorate their legacy and acknowledge the influence they had on fellow road users.I am pleading with the board of directors of the RA, the ministry of works and transport and the Namibian government through this opinion piece to honour the son of the soil and CEO by renaming the recently built interchange, directly across from the University of Namibia, to Conrad Lutombi interchange.I so submit!&bull; Felix Tjozongoro is a road safety activist. Email him at felix@namibialicence.app.

Namibian roads: Conrad Lutombi deserves honour and recognition

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-30

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Namibian roads: Conrad Lutombi deserves honour and recognition

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-30

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