Zebaldt Ngaruka

ERINDIRAMORO– Following many years of cries for relief by pedestrians and motorists, construction work on the Otjimanangombe bridge in the Omaheke region’s Epukiro constituency has finally commenced.

“The lack of a bridge was not only a threat to Otjimanangombe residents alone but to the entire road users in transit to the Otjozondjupa region via Okatumba Gate,” said constituency councillor Piniel Pakarae. He told New Era on enquiry his office and the constituency development committee (CDC) had sleepless nights in search of funds for the construction of the bridge.

The councillor said the Road Fund Administration, Roads Contractor Company and the finance ministry made N$1 million available for the construction of the bridge. He urged road users to abide by the road signs at the site to avoid accidents. “We recently had incidents of culvert bumping at the site – and we don’t want it to happen again, as it may cause unnecessary delays to the completion of the project,” Pakarae said. The councillor noted that a good road network is one of the development enablers. “Our office, together with the CDC, will continue working hard to search for funds for the development of the roads in the entire constituency and other developmental projects in Epukiro,” he emphasised.

The Otjimanangombe village is about 60km from Epukiro’s capital Omaueuozonjanda. On his part, Otjimanangombe traditional authority councillor Kairoo Kauami said the construction of the bridge will reduce unnecessary accidents at the turning point next to the school. “As one of the senior residents here, it is really welcomed news in our village, as many accidents happened at that part of the road and the community faced difficulties, especially during the rainy season. Even livestock was in danger when crossing the roads to the water point,” Kauami said.

The traditional leader then complimented the Otjimanangombe residents for lending a helping hand when they cleared the area for the construction to kick off. “It is really a big contribution, and it showed that the poor road affected us heavily – and let us continue helping where we can and we must alert our children not to play alongside the construction site,” Kauami pleaded. Resident Upengisa Hoveka said the bridge will ease the pressure on her children, as they suffered tremendously during the rainy season when crossing the road to and from school.

“We came here to take care of our children who did not have space in the hostel, but we find it difficult, especially during the rainy season to cross the road. That area is slippery and muddy; their shoes get wet, get old quickly and sometimes they do not go to school when it’s raining,”  she said. Hoveka hopes the bridge will bring an end to the prevalent accidents. The completion of the Otjimanangombe bridge is expected before the rainy season starts next

month. - zngaruka@yahoo.com