By Alvine Kapitako
OKAHAO – Construction of gravel roads at Okahao and several other nearby villages in the Omusati region has been well received by residents, who say the development will benefit the region.
Menete Munkundi, a resident of Okeeholongo village in the district, said the development will benefit the Omusati region in that the town will now have proper serviced roads. She said currently the roads are not conducive for vehicles and during the rainy season, they would be full of water. “We really feel good, we have been suffering,” said Munkundi.
Councillor of Okahao constituency, Isai Kapenambili, said villages such as Iitapa, Okiizimba, Okeeholongo and Olumpelengwa will benefit from the construction of the roads that would serve as communication and administrative links to other towns. “We will benefit a lot from the new roads being constructed. We lack roads in the area,” said Kapenambili, adding that the construction of the roads will boost the economy of the people in the region.
“Be it transportation of commodities to the centres of Okahao. People will use these roads to be transported for economic activities or health reasons,” Kapenambili said. The roads would also bring the advantage of easy and safe driving, as the gravel roads were too narrow and offered poor visibility for two-way traffic.
Onesmus Shigwedha, the Local Economic Development and Tourism Officer at the Okahao Town Council last week said the construction of the gravel roads at the town will cost about N$5.6 million.
The gravel roads are being constructed at Okahao Extension 3, Extension 4 and in Okahao town. Shigwedha explained that the biggest part of servicing the gravel roads and plots is taking place at Okahao Extension 3, which consists of more than 280 erven. “The whole extension is being serviced,” he said.
Furthermore, the gravel road from Amwaanda to Omutambogwomawe is also being serviced. But, New Era could not establish how much that would cost.
“The construction of the roads will provide ease of access to existing business and residential properties, which were difficult to access. New property developments will also be made easy by the roads,” Shigwedha said.