Niël Terblanché
Deputy Prime Minister and minister of works and transport, John Mutorwa announced progress on the construction of the Impalila Island airdrome.
He emphasised the importance of developing both road and air transport infrastructure in the region, stating that the project, which includes a paved runway and other essential facilities, is progressing well and has received funding from the national budget at a cost of N$27 million.
Mutorwa, who was on a visit to the Zambezi Region last week, stressed the strategic importance of Impalila Island, noting that its development has been long overdue.
He urged residents to support the airdrome construction, similar to their support during road construction projects, to ensure timely completion.
This year, the Zambezi Region will benefit from numerous road construction and rehabilitation projects in addition to the airdrome.
Helen Amupolo, a board member of the Roads Authority, cited the Nakabolelwa to Kasika Road as one of the key projects.
She said that the government will allocate N$35 million for the phased upgrade of district road 3524 to low-volume standards.
“Construction on the road between Bukalo-Muyako and Ngoma will begin once funding is secured, while the detailed design for the Makanga and Masida access roads, covering six kilometres of gravel standards, has been completed at a cost of N$9 million,” she said.
Amupolo said that the road construction project will start in August.
She added that routine maintenance activities such as bitumen maintenance, pothole patching, blading on gravel roads, and general road reserve maintenance have received an allocation of N$34 million.
“Specific maintenance projects include re-graveling and light rehabilitation of the Liselo, Linyanti, Kongola, and Singalamwe roads, costing N$19 million,” she said.
According to Mutorwa, the ambitious infrastructure drive will significantly improve the Zambezi Region’s connectivity and economic activity, supporting Namibia’s overall development goals.
