Roads Authority (RA) chief executive Conrad Lutombi has assured Oshana regional governor Elia Irimari that some flood-damaged roads in the Cuvelai-Etosha Basin will be repaired before Easter.
Lutombi made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the governor on Thursday, before his team went for site visits of affected areas.
He estimates an amount of N$230 million to fully restore and upgrade affected roads across the Oshana, Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Omusati and Kunene regions, including adding drainage to prevent future damage.
According to Lutombi, several gravel roads have been washed away, with some still submerged by water.
“A number of our roads are washed away and this is affecting economic activities in these areas and people have no access to essential services,” he said.
He said in the Kunene region, the main road at Opuwo has been completely damaged and in the Omusati region some of the roads have been damaged or washed away by heavy rains.
The Oshana region also has some damaged roads, with the Okapiya road being in a critical state. In the Oshikoto region, the road passing through Olukonda is affected and the Endola-Ongenga road in the Ohangwena region is also in bad shape.
“The Roads Authority’s commitment to pre-Easter repairs offers a glimmer of hope for communities struggling with disrupted transportation and access to essential services in these flood-stricken regions,” Lutombi noted.
The RA’s long-term restoration and upgrade project, contingent on allocated funds, aims to build more resilient road infrastructure capable of withstanding future flooding events.
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