Renthia Kaimbi
Deputy minister of works and transport, Hans Haikali, convened an urgent meeting with local government officials, engineers, and private contractors yesterday to assess the state of road infrastructure projects in Walvis Bay and to devise solutions for persistent challenges affecting the town’s road network.
The session, which took place at the municipality’s engineering headquarters, brought together the town’s mayor Johanness Shimbilinga, chief executive officer Victoria Kapenda, technical teams from the municipality, the Roads Authority, Otesa Civil Engineering, Namibia Construction, Tulipamwe Consulting Engineers, and other key stakeholders.
The engagement was part of Haikali’s broader effort to familiarise himself with on-the-ground conditions and to better understand the factors that continue to hamper both new road construction and routine maintenance in Walvis Bay.
Discussions revealed the unique environmental and operational pressures that set Walvis Bay apart from other Namibian towns.
Engineers pointed to challenging geotechnical conditions, persistently high groundwater levels, aging underground sewer and water services, and the sheer volume of heavy traffic generated by port-related activities as primary obstacles.
Haikali stressed that collaboration among all these parties is not optional but essential, as he called for practical, sustainable approaches to accelerate infrastructure delivery.
“Walvis Bay plays a critical role in our national economy,” Haikali said.
“Addressing these road infrastructure challenges remains a priority, and we cannot afford delays that hurt residents, businesses, and the logistics chain.”
During the technical briefing, the municipality’s executive for Roads and Building Control, Theo Potgieter, outlined the progress of the ongoing road rehabilitation programme.
He confirmed that several projects are already underway across the town, with some road sections nearing completion and a number of key intersections already upgraded.
Potgieter added that additional roads have been earmarked for future rehabilitation, and that his team is investigating specialised technologies to replace aging sewer infrastructure without the need for extensive excavation.
He explained that the condition of underground sewer and water pipes is one of the primary drivers of road deterioration, warning that failing to address these hidden networks would undermine any new investment in asphalt and paving.
“If we simply repave without fixing what lies beneath, we will be back here in a few years with the same cracks and sinkholes,” Potgieter noted.
Beyond the roads currently being rehabilitated under a memorandum of understanding between the municipality, the Road Fund Administration (RFA) and the Roads Authority, three arteries have been flagged as priority routes.
These include Independence Road, Nathaniel Maxuilili Avenue, and Pelican Street.
Other roads across the town will continue to receive attention through ongoing pothole repair and resealing programmes.
However, technical experts cautioned that road rehabilitation is inherently lengthy due to the sequential phases of planning, design, procurement, and construction.
In Walvis Bay, experts said, the timeline is further stretched by the town’s tricky geotechnical conditions, groundwater issues, aging underground assets, and relentless heavy traffic, all of which demand specialised engineering solutions and meticulous project oversight.
The site visit and subsequent discussions provided a platform for stakeholders to share technical insights, air current frustrations, and explore innovative approaches that could ultimately benefit residents, businesses, and all road users.
Haikali also made a surprise visit to the Natis office in Walvis Bay, where he directly engaged with members of the public to gauge their views on the service provided.
According to a brief statement from his office, the majority of clients indicated they were satisfied with the service.
However, a notable number of complaints centred on the learner’s license process, with several individuals expressing frustration over having to rewrite the exam multiple times despite needing only one additional point to pass.
The deputy minister took note of those concerns and indicated that they would be raised with relevant transport officials for further review.
