Namibia is exploring the use of floating bridges to improve access to schools and clinics in flood-prone areas during the rainy season.

Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi has directed senior staff to include the procurement of floating bridges in the upcoming mid-term budget review.

“I have given you an instruction to get a quotation to procure floating bridges, those small ones; it’s metals that are done in the world now. That when it’s flooding, you put it up. When the water is gone, you remove it and store it,” Nekundi said.

“It must take center stage because they are part and parcel of roads to enable the people to have access to schools.”

Severe flooding is a recurring issue in northern Namibia. This year alone, close to 90 schools were reportedly shut down, affecting over 30,000 learners in the Ohangwena, Omusati, and Oshana regions.

Nekundi criticized the current approach of spending billions on repairing the same roads each year, calling instead for investment in smarter, more adaptive infrastructure.

“I do not want to see schools closing because of water. No, there is water… even in our time it’s there; we know. We know even next year there is going to be rain, but we are failing here to plan for that. It cannot be. It’s not an accident.”

 He also urged his ministry to eliminate gravel roads and focus on creating reliable access routes in affected areas.