N$2bn loan for water, road projects

Government this week secured N$2 billion in funding for the rehabilitation of the road between Usakos and Karibib, to upgrade Windhoek’s potable reclamation plants and to fund the Water Sector Support Programme (WSSP).This was concluded this week following the signing of an agreement between finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi and the German Development Bank’s (KfW) country director for Namibia, Beatrice Lucke.Speaking at the occasion, Shiimi said while the projects will be funded from the proceeds of loans, they are meant to enhance Namibia’s productive capacity.“Naturally, people frown about borrowing, but the issue of borrowing for development, you can’t frown on that,” he said.Lucke thanked the German government for supporting the bank’s funding.“It is quite a significant amount and I am proud that the German government provided these funds,” she said.Potable water supplyA concessional loan to the tune of N$746 million will help to secure water supply for the central areas of Namibia through the construction of a second direct potable reclamation plant.In addition, a second concessional loan to the value of N$932 million was signed to support the WSSP.Under it, projects lined up include the replacement of parts of the Omdel-Wlotzkasbaken and Schwarzekuppe-Swakopmund pipelines, the rehabilitation of parts of the Calueque-Oshakati canal and a new water pipeline for the Oshikuku bypass.The programme also includes the Katima Mulilo purification plant, which entails the rehabilitation and extension of the existing water abstraction system (intake tower) and purification plant.This will increase the amount of water that can be reused, allowing for up to 50% of Windhoek’s water supply to come from the two direct potable reclamation plants.Road infrastructureFurthermore, N$373 million will be used for the rehabilitation and upgrading of the B2 section between Karibib and Usakos, which forms part of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor and the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi Development Road.The 33-kilometre stretch will be resurfaced and extended to allow for improved traffic flow and road safety. Construction works are planned to start in the second half of 2023.The Roads Authority and KfW said they are particularly proud to include local companies in the construction, allowing Namibian small- to medium-sized enterprises to benefit from at least 25% of the contract amount.

N$2bn loan for water, road projects

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

Please login to leave a comment

N$2bn loan for water, road projects

Comments

Namibian Sun 2025-04-03

Please login to leave a comment

Login