Marythar Kambinda
The Katima Mulilo Town Council, Road Fund Administration, and the Roads Authority signed an agreement yesterday that will assist the council with the rehabilitation of key roads.
The five-year agreement was signed by RFA CEO Ali Ipinge, RA CEO Conrad Lutombi and KMTC CEO Raphael Liswaniso.
Liswaniso said the RA would provide the council with available capacity building and technical support, which will enable the town council to implement road infrastructure projects of the highest quality.
Six key roads that are earmarked for upgrading and resurfacing are Dr Hage Geingob Avenue, Dr Sam Nujoma Drive, Muhinda Kalinki-Muhinda Kabajani to Sam Nujoma Drive, NamWater road linking C49 to Sam Nujoma Drive, Natis Makaravani West road, and the B8 national road, including the weighbridge.
“These roads are the lifeline of our town, connecting communities and facilitating economic growth,” he added.
According to Liswaniso, the RFA is further funding the upgrading of the 900m Lifasi road which will be transformed into an interlocked road. The road is set to be completed before the end of 2023.
“For far too long, we have battled the consequences of poor infrastructure and for the past few years, 90% of our roads have been nothing more than dust – a reflection of the challenges we face due to insufficient funds,” he noted.
“The RFA has provided some support to local authorities, especially to KMTC, and we really have to applaud them because whenever we knock on their doors, they open for us.”
Liswaniso added that despite funds provided in subsidy format, their actual needs were not addressed, and as a result, the funding they received has been minimal, covering a mere 10% of the required funds for road maintenance.
“As a town council, we bear the responsibility of constructing and maintaining this road and yet we derive no income from these endeavours,” he said.
“These funds will pave the way for improvements of our road networks and overall infrastructure of Katima Mulilo.”
On his part, Ipinge stated that the RFA has kept its promise in terms of its annual funding support, saying, “It might not have been sufficient, but we believe that it has assisted the local authorities countrywide to manage their road infrastructure.”
He noted that part of their mandate is to support the local authorities to ensure they have good roads.
“We want to make sure that when a project starts, that it is completed in time, that the design standards meet the requested standards to make sure that when the road is being upgraded, it can last for its design lifespan, and that we deliver on the construction of these roads on time. We have seen some projects where two to three years can pass without the road being completed,” said Ipinge.
Also in attendance was Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu, who urged the town council to ensure that roads of the highest quality are constructed within the town, as Namibia is ranked as having the best road infrastructure in Africa.
“When appointing those who are coming to do the job, please they must have a better CV. We don’t want to see short work on our roads. With short work I mean, the road is fixed today, but after three days it’s already in shambles. People who are coming with rakes and wheelbarrows to make a road is not necessary. Let’s look for companies that can really do a good job,” he stated.
Katima mayor Lister Shamalaza called on residents and institutions in town to also play their part in ensuring that the roads are well maintained as structures are always vandalised.
Also present at the signing was Charity Mwiya, the CEO of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and other local authority councillors.