OKAUKUEJO – The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism pledged to revamp the ageing infrastructure in the Etosha National Park, which is approaching its 115th anniversary.

The ministry’s executive director Teofilus Nghitila on Friday at Okaukuejo in the Etosha National Park said the ministry is determined to restore Etosha’s former glory.

He made the statement while handing over a newly-purchased grader, which will be used to level more than 400 kilometres of gravel roads within Etosha.

“The new grader will also be used to clear the cutlines, which help to minimise the spread of veldfires from outside or even inside the national park,” he said.

The executive director further stated that nearly N$50 million will be used during this financial year to revamp the three major entrance gates to Etosha, as well as ablution facilities and other infrastructure of the ministry in the Hardap region.

Nghitila then encouraged local and international tourists to visit Etosha, saying the newly-acquired grader will help eliminate potholes, thus improving the game drive experience. The control technical works inspector at Etosha Silver Kazombungo said, the park now has 10 graders, but only the new grader is operational. The remaining nine graders, all dating back to the 1970s, are no longer functional.

He said the new grader has an expected lifespan of 54 years.

-Nampa