Windhoek: The speed humps on the B1 road along Windhoek's Western Bypass, which have sparked widespread complaints from motorists, will remain in place until the government secures approximately N.dollars 100 million to construct pedestrian crossover bridges. Minister of Works and Transport Veikko Nekundi told Nampa on Monday that the planned bridges are intended to improve pedestrian safety along the busy route, but no timeline has been set for their construction due to a lack of funding.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Nekundi stated, "We are now mobilising the financial resources to construct the crossover bridges. As per the information provided to me, we need plus minus N.dollars 25 million per crossover bridge." He further explained that four crossover bridges are planned, bringing the total cost to around N.dollars 100 million to complete the structures on the Western Bypass.

Nekundi specified that one pedestrian crossover bridge will be constructed near the Windhoek Country Club, while the other three are planned for Prosperita, the vicinity of Katutura State Hospital, and the Northern Industrial Area. Meanwhile, he appealed to motorists using the B1 road to exercise patience, asserting that the speed humps were installed as a temporary measure to enhance pedestrian safety.

His remarks came after scores of motorists staged a demonstration on Saturday, protesting the speed humps. They argued that the structures were illegally erected and have significantly disrupted traffic flow, particularly during peak morning and afternoon hours. Social activist Michael Amushelelo, who participated in the demonstration, contended that the speed humps do not protect pedestrians and pointed out the absence of marked pedestrian crossings along the affected stretch of road.

Amushelelo emphasized, "This is a freeway. There are no speed humps allowed on a freeway. As you can see, there are no markings for pedestrian crossings." He claimed that over 16,000 motorists have signed a petition against the speed humps as of Saturday, indicating widespread dissatisfaction and urging road authorities to build safe bridges.

The group resolved on Saturday to regroup and mobilize more motorists for further demonstrations and intends to request a meeting with Nekundi to discuss their grievances regarding the speed humps.