AMINUIS – The Gobabis-Aranos Road project in the Omaheke region, which is currently at a 79% completion rate, has to date created over 435 jobs for skilled and unskilled individuals and a whopping N$23 million has been expended to small and medium subcontractors.

Planned to cover a total of 245 kilometres and valued at almost N$1.2 billion, the construction of the road started with section A, which consisted of the Gobabis-Onderombapa phase, which was successfully completed.

Section B of the road, which consists of the Onderombapa-Aminuis-Aranos phase, has been hit by funding delays and technical issues.

The tarring of the Aminuis-Aranos portion of the mega road project is the one that the Roads Authority (RA) admitted has been a bit slow and behind schedule due to inadequate funding from government. 

“The primary challenge of the project is insufficient financial resources; however, we have made significant progress. Section B, which covers the road from Onderombapa to Aranos, is currently at 79%. The contractor has slowed down work on this project as he is presently busy with fencing works. Other construction activities will resume as soon as the fencing works are completed,” RA’s spokesperson Hileni Fillemon said. 

Despite the delays, she said residents of both the Omaheke and Hardap regions have greatly benefited from the project through the creation of hundreds of jobs and related employment opportunities. 

To date, a total of 435 individuals were employed on the project, including unskilled workers who were sourced from the two regions. Additionally, N$23 million was extended to small
and medium subcontractors during the course of the various phases.

“A total of 21 small and medium subcontractors have been appointed for the project and utilised for various tasks, including culverts, edge beams, small precast concrete elements, stone pitching, hauling, fencing, bush clearing, road marking, installation of road signs, roadside equipmentand security services. 15 subcontractors were sourced from the Omaheke and Hardap regions. 

Through them, a total of 282 employment opportunities were created for the local communities,” Fillemon added. 

Not only were the benefits felt by subcontractors, but many local accommodation establishments in the two regions also benefitted immensely from the road project. 

“The main contractor is currently renting a campsite owned by the Kambahoka Community Development Trust for accommodation, offices and the laboratory. Considerable improvements have been made to the property to suit the needs of the contractor and consultant, which will remain for the benefit of the Community Development Trust. Monthly rental payments have been made to the trust for the use and occupation of the facility. To date, approximately N$2.5 million has been paid in rentals,” she said.

– ohembapu@nepc.com.na