ONANDJABA – Five days before he hands over the presidential seat, President Hifikepunye Pohamba has carried out the last inauguration of numerous road infrastructure built during his presidency.
The DR 3608, which is between Omafo and Onandjaba, forms part of a road that the Namibian Governors Council decided to name after Pohamba. This was revealed yesterday during the inauguration ceremony at Okalongo in Omusati Region.
According to Pohamba, the DR 3608 stretches from Omafo in Ohangwena Region, through Onandjaba, to Outapi in Omusati Region and will serve as an important link between the two regions.
So far, it is only the stretch between Omafo-Onandjaba and Onandjaba which is completed – the contractor is yet to complete the remaining stretch of about 98 km. The construction is fully funded by the Namibian government to the tune of approximately N$800 million.
“This road is also a significant contribution to the development of the transport infrastructure in the SADC region, especially between Namibia and Angola. This road will serve as a backbone of the regional development corridor, since it forms part of the Trans-Cunene Corridor via Oshikango, arid Trans-Zambezi Highway via Nkurekuru and Rundu to Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi Region,” said Pohamba.
The president further maintained he was confident DR 3608 would facilitate safer and better access for the communities to health health care centres, schools, markets and banking facilities.
And in turn, it will stimulate increased growth and development of the national economy.
Pohamba whose legacy includes the implementation of many road networks in the country, said road construction will not end with his presidential reign but the incoming president Dr Hage Geingob would take over all government projects and continue his legacy, where he left off.
“My contract as the president of this country ends on the 21st of this month. Please note that today (yesterday) is the 16th, I only have five days to go, on the sixth day, I will hand over the presidential seat to Hage Geingob.
“If you meet me on Sunday, don’t call me president, you should refer to me as former president. But the fact that I will be no longer be the president does not mean that roads will no longer be constructed in the country – no, Comrade Hage Geingob will continue,” Pohamba expanded.
The DR 3608 forms part of a network that runs through Divundu to Katima Mulilo road in Zambezi, Rundu-Nkurenkru-Mpungu in Kavango East and West, Okongo-Eenhana-Omafo-Engela in Ohangwena to Okalongo Outapi and Ruacana in Omusati Region, and will now be known as the Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba Highway.
Omusati Regional Governor Sophia Shaningwa who spoke on behalf of other governors maintained that under Pohamba’s administration the north-eastern and north-western regions were linked by a bitumen surfaced road.
“He always emphasised that Namibia is linked and unified by the roads network. However, we are cognisant that we do not have gold or silver to give him as a token of appreciation but we deem it befitting for his name to be carried by that road,” said Shaningwa.
Apart from Shaningwa, governors from Ohangwena, Oshana, Kavango East and Kavango West, Zambezi and Omaheke were also present.