Quality of road network deteriorating
RFA was only able to fund N$ 2.6 billion under its business plan, which resulted in a funding shortfall of N$ 1.3 billion in the current financial year.
Road Fund Administration (RFA) Chief Executive Officer, Ali Ipinge said that due to persistent underfunding over the years, the quality of the Namibian road network keeps deteriorating with sub-optimal maintenance work also contributing.
Ipinge said RFA needs N$ 3.9 billion for routine maintenance, reseal, rehabilitation and upgrading of the national road network.
However, RFA was only able to fund N$ 2.6 billion under its business plan, which resulted in a funding shortfall of N$ 1.3 billion in the current financial year. As a result, 43 percent of the gravel road network is in an unacceptable condition, while 10 percent of the paved road network is in a bad condition, he said.
“Poor condition of the road network costs road users an additional N$ 3.9 billion annually in the form of increased vehicle accidents and damage to tyres.
Maintenance
He added that the number of gravelling maintenance units will increase, thereby creating much needed economic and employment opportunities in rural communities, whilst preserving the N$ 101 billion road networks.
“The paved road network also needs attention in the form of increased resealing to restore the roads that are presently in an unacceptable condition. Karibib and Omaruru is one such road, which was built in 1974 and has only seen one section rehabilitated over its 46-year life,” explained Ipinge.
He further added that the resealing programme needs to be accelerated from the current 351 kilometres per annum to 660 kilometres per annum, whilst the re-gravelling programme needs to be accelerated from the current 236 kilometres per annum to 1 610 kilometres. - Nampa
Ipinge said RFA needs N$ 3.9 billion for routine maintenance, reseal, rehabilitation and upgrading of the national road network.
However, RFA was only able to fund N$ 2.6 billion under its business plan, which resulted in a funding shortfall of N$ 1.3 billion in the current financial year. As a result, 43 percent of the gravel road network is in an unacceptable condition, while 10 percent of the paved road network is in a bad condition, he said.
“Poor condition of the road network costs road users an additional N$ 3.9 billion annually in the form of increased vehicle accidents and damage to tyres.
Maintenance
He added that the number of gravelling maintenance units will increase, thereby creating much needed economic and employment opportunities in rural communities, whilst preserving the N$ 101 billion road networks.
“The paved road network also needs attention in the form of increased resealing to restore the roads that are presently in an unacceptable condition. Karibib and Omaruru is one such road, which was built in 1974 and has only seen one section rehabilitated over its 46-year life,” explained Ipinge.
He further added that the resealing programme needs to be accelerated from the current 351 kilometres per annum to 660 kilometres per annum, whilst the re-gravelling programme needs to be accelerated from the current 236 kilometres per annum to 1 610 kilometres. - Nampa
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