Ongwediva
President Hage Geingob said the inauguration of the Omakange-Ruacana road yesterday would unlock tourism potential by making Omusati and Kunene more accessible to tourists.
Speaking at the inauguration of the new road he said tourists contribute significantly to Namibia’s economy and will no longer have to contend with dusty roads and potholes.
Similarly, the road is also an opportunity for citizens of the region to explore the rest of Namibia and the SADC region as a whole.
The Omakange-Ruacana road was initiated by former president Hifikepunye Pohamba and has been under construction for the past two years.
Geingob said the road would also allow aspiring entrepreneurs to pursue businesses and attract new investment to expand the region’s economic base.
“Through the completion of this road, we have given you the means to pursue commercial activities,” Geingob said.
In addition, the road is also envisaged to boost cattle and crop farming in the region by connecting rural communities to the main business centres in the region and is expected to also boost local commerce.
“Commerce will also benefit since more goods and services will be able to find their way to and from this part of Namibia,” Geingob said. Similarly the president believes the road will also aid in saving lives, since ambulances will be able to safely and more rapidly transport the sick and injured.
According to the president, his government is committed to improving the welfare of all Namibians and the opening of the road underlines that ambition. “The more roads we open, the less isolated our people are from one another, allowing us to join hands as Namibians and march towards a better future for all,” Geingob said.
Other projects expected to take off in Omusati include the tarring of the Swakopmund-Henties Bay-Kamanjab road, which connects Erongo and Kunene regions.
The tarring of the Opuwo-Epupa road has also been budgeted for, as well Opuwo-Sesfontein in Kunene region, while the Oshakati-Ruacana road, which connects Omusati and Oshana will also be rehabilitated.