Hardap Governor Reverend Salomon April has urged residents of Asab to start businesses to benefit from the multi-million road construction work between Gochas and Tses.

The road construction project is worth N.dollars 550 million and involves the rehabilitation and widening of the B1 road between Mariental and Keetmanshoop from the Gochas/Gibeon intersection to Tses.

April in an interview with Nampa on Monday said there are more people in Asab than before and residents should look at available business opportunities in order to make a living for themselves.

“Let us not just think of getting a job with overalls but let us look at the business opportunity also,” stressed the governor.

April said the recruitment of general workers at the project has been halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but he is confident that it will start again soon.

The tender for the project was awarded to China Henan International Cooperation Group and Chico International Cooperation as the local partners and is expected to create 300 to 800 jobs.

The project is expected to be completed by March 2025. The general jobs at the project will be shared on a 50/50 basis between the Hardap and ||Kharas regions.

April further urged the inhabitants of the region to adhere to COVID-19 regulations as the region has in recent weeks started to record high numbers of COVID-19 cases and deaths.

“We as Namibians should unite efforts and resources, in order to make COVID-19 manageable, and stand with the government and fight this invisible enemy,” he said.

The governor said the situation in the region is currently dire as hospitals and health centres are full to capacity with no space for new patients.

“We are challenged human resources wise and logistical wise, I urge the inhabitants to comply with the regulations, let us refrain from walking around especially the young people, who are risking those that are at home. Let us love ourselves and take care of ourselves,” he said.

Source: Namibia Press Agency