Remote villages still waiting for basic roads
Villagers have never lived near a gravel road
In some areas, residents still rely on makeshift roads created by locals, which often become impassable during rains, cutting off access to crucial services, including health facilities and schools.
Regional councillors in Kavango West have voiced their frustrations over what they describe as the government’s neglect of their constituencies, citing the absence of basic road infrastructure as a persistent barrier to development.
To date, several constituencies in the region still lack gravel roads, forcing remote residents to endure long, difficult journeys to access essential services.
While some progress has been made in other sectors, road infrastructure, particularly gravel roads, in the Kapako and Ncamagoro constituencies remains elusive. Residents are left isolated, with the lack of roads hampering access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Kapako constituency councillor Johannes Karondo painted a grim picture of the situation, saying some residents have never lived near a gravel road.
“Gravel roads remain a challenge. When proper road infrastructure is in place, it stimulates business activity, facilitates easier transportation and ensures better access to health facilities and markets. This has been a long-standing challenge for the residents of Kapako,” Karondo said.
“To date, out of the six submissions we have made for roads in the constituency, none has been realised. While some people are now asking for bitumen-standard roads, here in Kapako, we are still crying for basic gravel roads”.
Hope for progress
Karondo also expressed hope for future progress: “I have pleaded with the National Planning Commission to balance development across constituencies. Our cry is for more submissions, especially for road infrastructure. We hope that within the next two years, we might see the realisation of at least one road. Perhaps this year, one gravel road might be approved.”
Ncamagoro constituency councillor Thomas Rengi highlighted similar struggles in his area, noting that not a single gravel road has been constructed since the constituency’s inception. “Kapako borders constituencies like Musese [and] Mankumpi, but none of these areas has a gravel road linking them. We need at least two to three gravel roads to connect larger villages to the main road, the Trans-Zambezi Highway,” Rengi said.
Mankumpi constituency councillor Lukas Muha praised recent progress on the heavily sanded Alex Muranda road, which has seen its first phase of gravel construction completed.
Deepening inequalities
Following oversight visits across all 14 regions, a parliamentary standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing reported that rural roads are in poor condition, limiting access to essential services and economic opportunities.
The report highlighted challenges such as poor network connectivity, washed-out roads, and impassable paths during rainy seasons. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, expectant mothers and schoolchildren, are disproportionately affected.
In the Zambezi Region, for instance, residents of Imukusi, just 15 km from Katima Mulilo, rely on makeshift roads created by locals. These pathways become impassable during rains, cutting off access to health facilities and schools.
The committee highlighted the economic toll of poor infrastructure, with farmers struggling to transport perishable goods and livestock to markets. In regions like Kunene, inadequate roads force residents to risk crossing flooded rivers, often with fatal consequences.
The Nkurenkuru-Nepara road project, aimed at upgrading 28 km of gravel road to a low-volume seal standard, has also faced delays. According to Roads Authority CEO Conrad Lutombi, contractors had until November last year to meet deadlines or face termination of their contracts.
The N$30 million project, crucial for connecting Kavango West to the Trans-Zambezi Corridor, began in 2023 but has fallen behind schedule.
During a visit to Kavango West last year, Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa was briefed on the project’s slow progress. Lutombi assured that corrective measures, including emergency procurement if necessary, would be implemented.
Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku has urged the government to fast-track road projects, including the long-awaited Charlie Cutline Road. “Road infrastructure is critical for connectivity and development in our region. Delays not only hinder progress but deepen inequalities for our rural communities,” Ausiku said.
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To date, several constituencies in the region still lack gravel roads, forcing remote residents to endure long, difficult journeys to access essential services.
While some progress has been made in other sectors, road infrastructure, particularly gravel roads, in the Kapako and Ncamagoro constituencies remains elusive. Residents are left isolated, with the lack of roads hampering access to education, healthcare and economic opportunities.
Kapako constituency councillor Johannes Karondo painted a grim picture of the situation, saying some residents have never lived near a gravel road.
“Gravel roads remain a challenge. When proper road infrastructure is in place, it stimulates business activity, facilitates easier transportation and ensures better access to health facilities and markets. This has been a long-standing challenge for the residents of Kapako,” Karondo said.
“To date, out of the six submissions we have made for roads in the constituency, none has been realised. While some people are now asking for bitumen-standard roads, here in Kapako, we are still crying for basic gravel roads”.
Hope for progress
Karondo also expressed hope for future progress: “I have pleaded with the National Planning Commission to balance development across constituencies. Our cry is for more submissions, especially for road infrastructure. We hope that within the next two years, we might see the realisation of at least one road. Perhaps this year, one gravel road might be approved.”
Ncamagoro constituency councillor Thomas Rengi highlighted similar struggles in his area, noting that not a single gravel road has been constructed since the constituency’s inception. “Kapako borders constituencies like Musese [and] Mankumpi, but none of these areas has a gravel road linking them. We need at least two to three gravel roads to connect larger villages to the main road, the Trans-Zambezi Highway,” Rengi said.
Mankumpi constituency councillor Lukas Muha praised recent progress on the heavily sanded Alex Muranda road, which has seen its first phase of gravel construction completed.
Deepening inequalities
Following oversight visits across all 14 regions, a parliamentary standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing reported that rural roads are in poor condition, limiting access to essential services and economic opportunities.
The report highlighted challenges such as poor network connectivity, washed-out roads, and impassable paths during rainy seasons. Vulnerable groups, including the elderly, expectant mothers and schoolchildren, are disproportionately affected.
In the Zambezi Region, for instance, residents of Imukusi, just 15 km from Katima Mulilo, rely on makeshift roads created by locals. These pathways become impassable during rains, cutting off access to health facilities and schools.
The committee highlighted the economic toll of poor infrastructure, with farmers struggling to transport perishable goods and livestock to markets. In regions like Kunene, inadequate roads force residents to risk crossing flooded rivers, often with fatal consequences.
The Nkurenkuru-Nepara road project, aimed at upgrading 28 km of gravel road to a low-volume seal standard, has also faced delays. According to Roads Authority CEO Conrad Lutombi, contractors had until November last year to meet deadlines or face termination of their contracts.
The N$30 million project, crucial for connecting Kavango West to the Trans-Zambezi Corridor, began in 2023 but has fallen behind schedule.
During a visit to Kavango West last year, Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa was briefed on the project’s slow progress. Lutombi assured that corrective measures, including emergency procurement if necessary, would be implemented.
Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku has urged the government to fast-track road projects, including the long-awaited Charlie Cutline Road. “Road infrastructure is critical for connectivity and development in our region. Delays not only hinder progress but deepen inequalities for our rural communities,” Ausiku said.
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