Swakopmund
The upgrade of two coastal roads into dual carriageways at a cost of N$958 million is expected to create at least 600 jobs, while small and medium enterprise (SME) participation will constitute at least 15 percent of the project.
This was revealed by the Minister of Works and Transport, Alpheus !Naruseb, when he launched the project at the coast last Thursday.
!Naruseb, who urged locals to take ownership of the road works, said that Namibians would benefit greatly in terms of skills transfer.
“The Unik/Thohi joint venture – which constitutes Namibian and Chinese contractors – will benefit the Namibian company Thohi as it will allow the Namibian contractor and sub-contractors to acquire skills from their experienced foreign partner,” he said.
The minister also appealed to residents to refrain from vandalising signs, equipment and machinery that will be used during the construction of the road.
“ I am also appealing to road users to drive with care and mind other road users,” he noted.
More than 600km of roads in the Erongo Region will be tarred or resurfaced by 2019 as part of the highly acclaimed Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) unveiled by President Hage Geingob.
The gravel roads to be tarred are Section A of 60km from Swakopmund to Henties Bay and Section B (about 123km) from Henties Bay to Uis settlement. Earthworks on these two sections are under way.
Another gravel road of approximately 120km between Uis and Khorixas will also be tarred, as will the gravel road that connects Swakopmund to Walvis Bay behind Dune 7 (about 65km).
The 60km of tarred road between Omaruru and Karibib – full of potholes – is already being renovated.
Renovations will also continue from Karibib to Swakopmund and further to Walvis Bay on the B2 road. This distance is about 235km.
The Roads Construction Company will oversee all these projects to make sure that they meet international standards and that contractors complete them within the required time frame.