By:Mauricia Koopman
The Road Fund Administration (RFA) has sponsored N$ 600,000 to support the most flood-affected regions of Oshana, Ohangwena and Omusati in the north of the country.
The RFA said each region will get a total of N$200,000 which will be managed by their respective regional councils.
“This donation might not be sufficient but certainly lend a helping hand to put a meal on the table, or obtain shelter in a tent or acquisition of mosquito nets,” Ali Ipinge, the RFA Chief Executive Officer, said.
Ipinge said climate change and its impact on rainfall has caused some parts of the country to receive an enormous amount of rain and caused an immense damage to properties and loss of lives, while in the same part of the region it is receiving drought.
The northeastern parts of Namibia were affected by flooding following heavy rains in Angola during the second week of January.
According to reports, over 350 households were affected while over 2,000 people were displaced from their homes, leading to the temporary shutting down of schools.
The flood has also damaged crops and roads, with plenty outbreaks of diseases like malaria.
Ipinge said the Road Fund Administration and the Road Authority (RA) have prioritised urgent repairs to the roads, which are damaged and they will commence maintenance as soon as the flood water has decreased.
He said they will conduct stakeholder engagement sessions across the country to obtain the public’s support and input with regard the potential development of tolling in Namibia.
“A study was done and identified a few viable roads and this seems good in the long run for Namibia’s economic growth and social development,” he said.
“RFA remains consistent to find the next alternative means that will optimise needed funding for maintenance and to maintain our globally rated quality roads and encourage the public and regional stakeholders to support the idea that will boost our road user charges.”
He stressed that times like these “teach us that such climate change is here to remain for not only quite a while but forces mankind to learn and adapt to the new way of living in such conditions.”