Road infrastructure gets priority The road network is expected to get the lion''s share of the Road Fund Administration''s kitty over the next five years.The Road Fund Administration is planning to channel up to 77% of the funds it administers to road infrastructure projects as it rolls out a new five-year business plan. This reflects ambitious plans by the Roads Authority to tar several roads.
The Road Fund Administration signalled its intention to transport stakeholders before it submits its business plan to its line ministry this week.
Speaking on behalf of Roads Authority chief executive officer Conrad Lutombi, Wilfred Brock, executive officer for transport regulation, informed stakeholders that numerous road projects were in the pipeline for the next five years.
Brock said the plan was to tar over 1000 kilometres of gravel roads and construct 500 kilometres of new gravel roads per year.
This includes the construction of a dual carriageway between Rehoboth and Windhoek, tarring of the Tsumkwe-Grootfontein road and the Aranos and Mata-Mata roads, and the construction of a Walvis Bay-Solitaire-Maltahöhe road to ease congestion on the B2 national route.
Reflecting on the planned development of the Oshikango bypass, Brock said: “We must realise that the oil price will not always be where it is,” suggesting that activity in neighbouring Angola was expected to improve.
Reflecting on the Omaruru-Swakopmund connection, Brock said the Roads Authority expected increased cargo owing to the expansion of the port of Walvis Bay that would put pressure on the Trans-Caprivi and Kunene corridors.
Rehabilitation work is planned on the Oshakati-Ruacana road, the Grünau-Mariental road and the Gobabis-Buitepos road.
OGONE TLHAGE