Works and Transport Minister John Mutorwa on Wednesday launched the low volume seal programme in the Kavango East Region aimed at bridging the gap between the level of service of gravel roads and high standard surfaced roads.

Speaking at the launch, Mutorwa said even though routine maintenance is done on the gravel route network, budgetary constraints have become a challenge to adequately maintain all gravel roads.

“Hence to ensure that the roads are in safe and good condition, the Roads Authority and Road Fund Administration initiated the low volume seal programme which is an alternative maintenance strategy to optimise the available funding by doing more with less financial resources,” he said.

The minister said the upgrading of low traffic gravel roads to appropriate surfaced standards is a viable solution to reducing the burden of unsealed road maintenance and preserving scarce road building materials.

“In addition, the upgrading of roads to low volume seal standards has wide-ranging benefits, including an increase in road user satisfaction and reduction of vehicle maintenance costs,” he said.

Mutorwa said as part of the low volume seal programme a maximum of five kilometres of most roads that pass through residential areas in towns that are densely populated and which connect to villages, will be upgraded.

In the Kavango East Region roads that will be upgraded to low volume sealed standard include district road 3402 from Rundu to Divundu and district road 3448, which runs from Rundu to Bambi.

The combined 22 kilometres of these two roads will be upgraded over three years.

Other roads which will be upgraded to low volume sealed standard over five years are district roads 3424 from Rundu to Ncaute, district road 3410 from Rundu to Ndiyona, district road 3422 from Rundu to Nyangana hospital and district road 3403 stretching from Divundu to the Mohembo border post.

“Once completed, these projects will contribute significantly to the development of the region. Public transport will also increase for the benefit of the majority of the people who do not own vehicles,” Mutorwa said.

The event was attended by the governor of the region Bonny Wakudumo, Chief Executive Officer of the Roads Authority Conrad Lutombi and regional councillors.

Source: Namibia Press Agency