Allexer Namundjembo
Determined to improve access to their communities, young people in the Okongo Constituency have taken it upon themselves to clear and debush the Okongo-Oshiti Shaihanya road.
Their efforts, driven by a sense of responsibility and community spirit, have brought renewed hope to residents who have long struggled with poor road conditions.
Okongo Constituency Councillor Ephraim Shipindo confirmed the initiative to the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday.
“They have volunteered themselves, even after the regional council gave them a token of appreciation. They are almost done, with less than two kilometres left,” he said.
Shipindo said the initiative, which began in December last year, has been a significant step toward making the road more accessible.
He added that the community is still waiting for government intervention to ensure a long-term solution.
“We are now waiting for the Roads Authority and the regional council to reveal their plans for improving the road to a better standard,” he said.
The Okongo-Oshiti Sha Haihonya road is an essential link connecting Nehale LyaMpingana and Okongo Constituency, providing access to areas such as Oshiti Sha Haihonya, Okongo, Polopolo, Onalusheshete, and Onehanga.
Another road is expected to run along the Katwitwi route in Kavango, connecting Luwaya to Casablanca and Elavi Nghuulile.
“There has been no official communication from the central government about upgrading the road to at least a gravel road,” Shipindo said.
Likius Hafeni, from the Nehale LyaMpingana Constituency, said there is a need for government action, stating that a proper gravel road would make a significant difference in their daily lives.
He noted that in 2018, during the opening of the Nehale LyaMpingana constituency, the then-councillor Leevi Reinholdt promised the construction of a gravel road through the line ministry.
Nehale LyaMpingana constituency is situated in the Oshikoto Region.
“We were hoping it would be implemented soon, but it seems like the government is taking time to approve,” Likius said.
At the time, Reinholdt revealed that the constituency, with around 120 villages, had no proper road infrastructure and was only accessible by all-terrain four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Plans were put forward to construct new gravel roads, including one linking Andoni-Oidiva in the Oshikoto region to the Okongo-Rundu in the Ohangwena region tarred road, passing through Nehale LyaMpingana Constituency.
This road was prioritised by the Oshikoto Regional Council as it would benefit institutions within a 10-kilometre radius.
Other roads that had been considered included the Oshiti Sha Haihonya to Okongo route, the Polopolo road connecting Onalusheshete to Onehanga, and the Luwaya road, which was set to link Casablanca to Elavi Nghuulile in the Kavango West region.
These roads were expected to improve accessibility to remote areas and address local challenges.
