()/assets/images/3454/access-roads-for-efundja-coming2017-11-220.jpg)

This forms part of a climate change mitigation programme co-funded by the government and the German development bank KfW. It will be implemented by the Roads Authority (RA) and the ministry of works and transport during the next 15 months.
During the past rainy season, 64 schools were closed in Omusati, and 19 309 pupils were sent home because of the efundja.
During the launch ceremony at Okalongo in Omusati, !Naruseb said that this is an effort to alleviate the plight of communities in the rural areas of the Ohangwena and Omusati regions - especially during the rainy season when access to services is cut off.
“Many schools and clinics in the two regions are without proper and safe access during the rainy season when the pans are flooded. Ohangwena and Omusati are both located in flood plains, making the two regions prone to torrential floods,” !Naruseb said.
!Naruseb, says that the project is addressed at a situation where every year, there have been cases of school-going children who have drowned as they are unfamiliar with the depth of the water.
“Thus, I am very happy that the KfW has agreed to co-fund this initiative.”
The Oshana, Omusati and Ohangwena regions are prone to efundja that cut off access during the rainy season. The three regions form part of the Cuvelai Delta which often floods when it rains.
“Service delivery remains our government's most important task. Our government does not just promise better access to electricity, clean water, government services and roads, we provide them, since these utilities and amenities are there for everyone to see. Our programme to provide access in all corners of our country is on track. These efforts are directed at the provision of services to improve the quality of life for communities in both urban and rural areas, through the undertaking of different types of infrastructure and other developmental initiatives. We know where we are heading and it's towards building a better Namibia for everyone,” !Naruseb said. He said the RA and the works ministry, with the assistance from KfW, deemed it appropriate to address this situation in earnest.
He also added that it is a well-known fact that road connectivity ranks the highest in terms of the provision of easy and required access to health centres, clinics, schools and other social services in Namibia. He also said that the rural parts of northern Namibia are among the areas where limited development, especially in terms of adequate access roads to social service centres, has taken place to meet the needs of communities as a means to improve their livelihoods.
The project has been split into six construction lots with different numbers and distances of access roads to be constructed.
Kettu Investment, Sash Trading, Moza Investment, Eponga and Tangeni and Odjove jv N'olune have been contracted to do the work under the supervision of the RA and WML Consulting Engineers.
!Naruseb says they are expected to apply labour-based construction methods and at the same time administer, manage, finance, train personnel, set out the works, and supply materials and equipment for the works scheduled under each specific lot for the project.
ILENI NANDJATO