Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials (NALAO) has renewed its call for increased funding to maintain urban road infrastructure, warning that current financial support is not enough to meet the growing needs of towns and cities across the country.
NALAO president Moses Matyayi said the concerns raised in their 2022 submission to the Road Fund Administration (RFA) remain relevant, especially following recent heavy rains that have worsened road conditions.
“Our 2022 submission to RFA as NALAO on road and street maintenance funding which content remains relevant, especially with the current torrential rains that exposed the fatigue of our road infrastructure in urban areas across the country,” said Matyayi.
He urged a review of the existing funding model and proposed a minimum allocation of N$570 million for urban roads, stating that current allocations are insufficient.
“This proposal should be considered as a basis to stimulate a robust and honest discourse on how best to address the demanding situation in urban centres,” he added.
Several municipalities are already facing challenges.
In Otjiwarongo, the local authority acknowledged that financial constraints, heavy traffic, and adverse weather have damaged roads.
The municipality outlined a N$71 million road rehabilitation project in partnership with RFA and the Roads Authority (RA), running over three years.
“As Council, we acknowledge the challenges posed by road deterioration, particularly due to heavy traffic, adverse weather conditions, and resource constraints. However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering sustainable solutions that enhance the quality of life for our residents,’ said Otjiwarongo mayor Gottlieb Shivute.
Completed works in the town include 3 000 m² of pothole patching and 1,000 m² of base repairs.
An additional N$6 million has been allocated for further maintenance over the next six months.
A contractor has been appointed for light rehabilitation of streets such as Dr Libertine Amadhila Avenue and Bahnhof Street, with a budget of N$30 million. Another N$26 million has been set aside for road resurfacing after the rainy season.
Despite these efforts, the Otjiwarongo Municipality did not respond to queries about the status of the projects or their effect on residents.
In Walvis Bay, resident Josofina Haitembu shared a petition on social media, calling for urgent road repairs.
“Many roads in Walvis Bay are in extremely poor condition, filled with potholes that make driving dangerous and damage vehicles,” the petition reads.
She warned that poor road conditions pose a serious risk to drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists.
“These roads are a danger to everyone who uses them,” Haitembu said.
Swakopmund Municipality issued a notice about pothole repairs on seven streets but did not respond to questions about broader road infrastructure issues.
“Please adhere to the traffic signs and make use of detours or other alternative routes. We apologise for any inconvenience caused during the maintenance period,” the notice read.
In Grootfontein, residents in the Omulunga township continue to raise concerns about road conditions.
Last year, the town’s acting CEO, Indileni Lugameni, acknowledged the challenges and said a plan was in place to carry out repairs and apply a slurry seal.
Grootfontein receives around N$3.5 million annually from RFA, which officials say is not enough for long-term road improvements.
With more rainfall expected in some regions, NALAO’s renewed call for adequate funding highlights the growing pressure on local authorities to maintain safe and functional roads.
