ONGWEDIVA – Government is considering expanding the national roads into dual carriageways in order to minimise the rate of head-on collisions on national roads. And the work to upgrade the road between Ondangwa and Omuthiya into a dual carriageway is expected to start next year, the Minister of Works and Transport Erkki Nghimtina revealed at the public inauguration of the upgraded road between Oshakati and Ongwediva, which was turned into a dual carriageway.
“From the onset I would like to emphasise that the government of the Republic of Namibia is committed to deliver and provide service to its citizens,” said Nghimtina.
Nghimtina said government has a number of projects in the pipeline, all aiming at upgrading a number of roads countrywide. Nghimtina added that the Main Road (MR) 92 on which the bridges are located is one of the most prominent and vital links boosting business and industry in northern Namibia.
The main roads between Oshakati and Ongwediva have been turned into double lanes, while Ongwediva and Okandjengedhi bridges have been upgraded. The upgraded bridges in Oshakati and Ongwediva located in the flood-prone areas were severely damaged during the 2008/2009 and 2010/2011 floods. Traffic congestion between the two towns is also unbearable and causes frustrations among road users. This prompted government through the Roads Authority to upgrade the road between Ongwediva and Oshakati, one of the busiest roads in the country.
The minister said the MR 92 is regarded as a national route as it links Namibia to Angola, thus the improvement of the road will not only promote safety, reduce travelling time and reduce operating costs among motorists, but will also have an impact on neighbouring Angola.
Currently work to rehabilitate and widen three bridges on the Rehoboth-Mariental road has already commenced, while the construction of three bridges linking Okahandja and Ovitoto along the DR2102 in Otjozondjupa Region is close to completion.
By Helvy Shaanika