By Helvy Shaanika
ONGWEDIVA – President Hifikepunye Pohamba has revealed that plans to construct a road to link Oshikango in Namibia to Katwitwi in Angola have reached an advanced stage.
While addressing a Swapo rally at Helao Nafidi last Saturday, Pohamba said this project will be financed by the Namibian government at a cost of N$100 million and it is expected to create approximately 250 jobs.
“This section of the road is part of the Rundu-Nkurenkuru- Elundu trunk road, which connects to the Trans-Zambezi Highway that forms part of the Walvis Bay-Zambezi-Ndola-Lumbumbashi Corridor. This road links to Angola via Katwitwi and Oshikango border post. The road serves both local and international traffic and it is, therefore, of importance to the economy of this country as it serves a link to other SADC countries,” explained Pohamba.
Pohamba said the Oshikango-Katwitwi road is one of many road networking projects in Ohangwena Region that are either successfully accomplished or in the pipeline that have and will continue to benefit the residents of Ohangwena Constituency through job creation and the economic benefits that will accrue from the usage of the upgraded roads.
Pointing out some of these successfully accomplished road networking projects, Pohamba referred to the Elundu-Eenhana road which has already been updated from gravel road to bitumen standard.
The process to upgrade roads to bitumen standard is also ongoing for the Omafo-Ongenga-Outapi road, Oshigambo-Eenhana road and Onunho-Endola-Okatana road.
“In addition, the Onalulago-Epembe gravel road will be constructed using labour-based methods. Once completed, these roads will link Ohangwena Region with regions such as Omusati, Oshikoto and Oshana,” said Pohamba.
He said government has made it a priority to extend the railway line from Ondangwa to Oshikango, where the Theofilus Hamutumbangela station has been constructed.
“The Swapo Party government recognises that in order to attract investment, there must be proper and reliable transport infrastructure in place …The trains provide an alternative and cost-effective means of transport for our businesses, while at the same time reduce the load on our roads,” stressed Pohamba.