To improve the access to road network and reduce heavy traffic on the main road, the Ondangwa Town Council has embarked on projects to upgrade its access roads.

According to Ondangwa spokesperson Petrina Shitalangaho, council last year constructed Sam Nuujoma road in Ext 16, which is currently partially open.

“Once fully completed, it is expected to ease traffic congestion on the B1 road, particularly from ABC Open Market until Olunkono shopping centre – and provide an alternative route to motorists going to Oshikango and Ongwediva, respectively,” she explained.

She said the new road network is an attempt to keep the existing roads safe and in good condition, and also to minimise traffic for the road users, especially during the festive season. 

The contractor for this project is Joto Investment CC.

“During this financial year, council appointed ENH to construct an access road as well as a stormwater infrastructure for a portion of Extension 24 at the cost of N$2.1 million,” she added. 

She indicated the road stretches from FNB traffic lights through Uupopo informal settlement and joins the Extension 24 tarred road. 

This road will give access to the residents of extensions 24, 25, 26 and 30.

“The council also appointed Emirates Trading CC during this financial year to construct a surfaced road in the entire new Extension 26,” said Shitalangaho.

The scope of work also includes the construction of an access road to a new school in Ondiiyala, Ondiiyala Primary School. 

The N$17.9 million projects are expected to be completed within seven months.

Meanwhile, the construction of the Omwandi taxi rank, which started in March this year, is already completed.

The taxi rank construction was done at an amount of N$500 000.

“The facility will soon have taxis; however, the council still needs to construct an ablution facility as well as improve the trading area at the taxi rank,” she stated.

Shitalangaho also explained that once the taxi rank comes into full operation, the public will be expected to see improvements, especially by the taxis that load customers close or on the road, which was also a risk to the pedestrians and other motorists using the road from the B1 to Oshikango or elsewhere.

“The improvement brought about demarcated loading and offloading lines from a loading zone that was in a poor state with potholes,” she said.

She added it would also bring order to the area, reducing the chaos because visitors to the medical centre and shops surrounding the loading zone were targets for robberies. -vkaapanda@nepc.com.na