Funding shortfalls continue to hamper Namibia in maintaining its status as the country in Africa with the best road network that is regularly maintained.This is according to Oshoveli Hiveluah of Roads Authority Namibia.Speaking at a Logistics Hub Forum held in Walvis Bay in March, the divisional manager of Network Planning gave a broad overview of why much of Namibia’s road upgrades appear to be in limbo.Of all the planned upgrades intended to improve pivotal stretches of road in Namibia, the B2 link between Usakos and Karibib seems to be the only one that has funding in place.According to Hiveluah’s presentation, the loan agreement for this upgrade was expected last October-November.It’s not clear whether it did indeed happen, as during a recent visit by Freight News to Namibia there were no signs of imminent construction work on this section of the highway that connects the Port of Walvis Bay with important hinterland areas.Neglected and in serious need of resurfacing, at the very least, the road between Usakos and Karibib runs through privately owned land and “compensation matters” or payment delays by the Roads Authority are scuppering upgrade timelines.In the case of several upgrades around Windhoek-Hosea Kutako International Airport, landowner issues had presented the Authority with serious challenges, Hiveluah said.As for funding shortfalls, rehabilitation work on roads between Keetmanshoop and Grunau in the south, and between Eenhana and Onhuno right up north, poses serious challenges for the movement of bulk ore on Namibia’s road network.In respect of upgrading a road of almost 100 kilometres, which connects Henties Bay on the coast north of Walvis to the tin mining area of Uis north-east, to “bitumen standards”, Hiveluah, as in many other instances, said “funding is being sourced”.He added that at least 22% of the work on the C35 gravel road had been completed.
