A delegation from Sierra Leone which was on a study visit in Windhoek praised the country’s road network, even naming it the ‘Europe of Africa’ due to its good road management system.
This study tour encompassed strengthening of bilateral relations, and aimed to explore and understand the strategies and practices employed by the Roads Authority (RA) which have contributed to its success in road maintenance.
Sierra Leone aspires to enhance their capabilities in managing and developing their road infrastructure projects.
The Sierra Leone delegation toured Windhoek to assess and study the design, shape and road conditions, and chose Namibia as it boasts the best road infrastructure in Africa, consistently ranking first in various reports and surveys.
Denis Sandy, the Minister of Works and Public Assets of Sierra Leone, said they had no difficulty in deciding that Namibia should be the destination for the tour, given the numerous accolades that this country has won in the area of road maintenance.
He said the mission holds great significance for their country, offering a unique opportunity to enhance its roads maintenance and sustainable development strategies. The minister said the knowledge gained during the trip is anticipated to contribute significantly to the improvement of the country’s infrastructure, and foster economic growth.
“Sierra Leone and Namibia share a long history of collaboration and mutual support, which dates as far back as the period during Namibia’s struggle for independence,” Sandy noted. During that time, Sierra Leone played host to thousands of Namibian students who benefitted from first-class education in their schools, colleges and universities. Sierra Leone was at the time regarded as the Athens of West Africa.
“Year after year, we spend millions and millions to repair our feeder roads, only to repeat the process after one or two cycles of the rainy season. Sustainability is a big issue, and so this prompted the idea of proceeding on a study tour to a country that has excelled in road maintenance,” he said.
He said they learned that an excellent road network is achieved through years of hard work, commitment and dedication to duty; but most importantly, through the aide of science and technology.
Minister of works and transport John Mutorwa said Namibia is committed to improving its roads and infrastructure.
“We appreciate this visit, and we hope you have learned something from Namibia, as we have learned a lot from you over a short period,” he observed.