Irene !hoaës
15 October 2008
Windhoek — President Hifikepunye Pohamba will officially commission the Opuwo-Omakange; Outapi-Okahao; and Kamanjab-Omakange roads this weekend.
The Opuwo-Omakange contract comprised the upgrading of approximately 56 kilometres of Main Road 100 (MR100) between the junction MR67 and Opuwo, from gravel road to a bitumen single carriageway.
The new road alignment follows that of the existing road closely for approximately 33.5 kilometres. The road has been re-aligned for the other 22.5 kilometres to improve the horizontal alignment and drainage characteristics, while the required standard surfaced width of the road is 6.8 metres.
The 60-kilometre road was started in March 2004 and was completed in February 2006, at a cost of N$116.5 million.
The Government and the Roads Fund Administration jointly funded the MR100.
The Outapi-Tsandi-Okahao road contract comprises the upgrading of approximately 55.4 kilometres of Main Road 123 - between the junction MR92 in Outapi through Tsandi up to Okahao - from gravel road to a bitumen single carriageway.
The new road alignment followed that of the existing road closely, with minor adjustments to improve the horizontal alignment to comply with Roads Authority's standards. The required standard surfaced width of the road is 6.8 metres.
This road development commenced in July 2004 and was completed in December 2006 at a cost of N$98.5 million.
The Government and the Roads Fund Authority also funded the 55-kilometre road.
The Kamanjab-Omakange contract, the last road to be completed, was executed in the Kunene Region.
This project consisted of upgrading of MR67 to bitumen standard between Kamanjab and the junction with the MR100 at Omakange.
MR67 forms an important link to the densely populated areas of the Kunene and Omusati regions in the northern part of Namibia.
The MR67 development commenced in October 2005 and was completed in January 2008.
The Government and the African Development Bank funded the 104-kilometre road constructed at an amount of N$166 million.
The Kunene Roads Master Plan has shown that it was economically justified to upgrade the gravel MR100 to an all-weather bitumen road, benefiting the respective populations by lowering vehicle operational costs and making road transport more affordable to many.
The Oshikoto, Oshana, Omusati and Ohangwena Roads Master Plan showed that the project would contribute significantly to the development of the project area in the Oshikoto Region.
Various environmental and social benefits, job creation and a general upliftment of the living conditions of the large population were the benefits of this project.
Public transport is expected to increase for the benefit of the majority of people who do not own a vehicle.
Agriculture, the main economic activity in the area, will also benefit from increased trade and cheaper inputs.
It is also believed the road would ease access to external markets and thus promote the development of alternative economic activities.
A representative of the African Development Bank that financed the MR67 development will grace the occasion, as well as Works and Transport Minister Helmut Angula, Kunene Regional Governor, Dudu Murorua and the Roads Authority Chief Executive Officer.
Various entertainment activities are lined up at the Opuwo-Kamanjab-Omakange junction, while an opening ceremony will take place at the Outapi-Okahao Road, at the same time.
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