WALVIS BAY – The road and rail network in the Erongo Region will undergo a transformation that will enhance safety and stimulate economic growth in the next few years.
This was revealed by the Deputy Minister of Works and Transport, Kilus Nguvauva, during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Namibia Ports Authority’s ( Namport’s) N$3 billion container terminal that took place recently.
His announcement came shortly after the founding president Dr Sam Nujoma inaugurated the N$180 million road constructed by Husab Uranium Mine. The Husab road stretches 22 kilometres outside Swakopmund and connects the mine to the Swakopmund/Usakos main road. The also includes a bridge over the Khan Valley and is the longest bridge constructed since independence and is 160 metres in length.
The construction of the bridge alone cost N$21 million and was build by Basil Read Namibia as the main contractor and subcontractors Botes and Kennedy Namibia and Steffanuti Stocks.
According to Nguvauva the road behind Dune 7 that links Swakopmund and Walvis bay with the rest of the country will be upgraded to a dual carriageway. The upgrading includes a bridge over the Swakop River. The road will play a pivotal road once the Trans-Kalahari Railway, the logistics park and other industrial facilities are completed.
“The road between Swakopmund and Walvis Bay will also be rehabilitated. The construction tenders will be awarded in January 2015,” he further explained. He went on to say that a tender will also soon be awarded for the construction of the Swakopmund/Henties Bay/Uis and Kamanjab road.
“We will soon award the tender for a detailed design of the road as we want to kick-start the construction as soon as possible,” Nguvauva said.
According to him the Aus/Lüderitz railway line and the northern railway extension between Oshakati and Ondangwa is also progressing well and is on track.
“The Trans-Kalahari Railway’s logistics is also on track. The rehabilitation and upgrading of our infrastructure will enhance integrated connectivity to ensure stimulus, reliable and cost effective transport solutions between Namibian ports. It will also enhance the safety of our road infrastructure and at the same time open investment and trade opportunities between SADC countries, as well as various landlocked countries in Africa,” the minister said.
By Eveline de Klerk