Two frequently used roads between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund – the B2 highway and the MR44 behind the dunes – will be transformed into dual-carriage highways.
The upgrade of the two roads, which is expected to cost N$958 million, was launched by Minister of Works and Transport Alpheus !Naruseb outside Swakopmund on Thursday. The upgrade will be done in two phases and is expected to be completed within three years.
At the ground-breaking ceremony, !Naruseb, said Namibia must make continuous efforts to position the country’s economy favourably at both regional and international levels.
“To do this we must put in place reliable transportation infrastructure that meets the requirement and demands of the 21st century. Thus, a safe and efficient transport sector will strengthen our competitive advantage in the region.”
He pointed out that Namibia is strategically positioned as a gateway for import and export to and from landlocked countries in SADC, such as Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The road upgrade is one of the projects outlined in the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP), that President Hage Geingob has pledged to implement over the four-year HPP period.
“As stated in the plan, and in view of Namibia’s aspiration to become a logistics and distribution hub by 2030, significant investment will have to be made in all four modes of transport infrastructure, namely road, rail, maritime and aviation.
