The Minister of Works and Transport, Minister Veikko Nekundi, officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the multimillion-dollar Omuthiya–Elambo road in the Oshikoto Region.

The 59 kilometre road will be constructed over a period of two years at a cost of N$188.6 million, co-funded by the Namibian government, with an additional N$500 million financial contribution from Germany's KfW.

At the event, Nekundi urged the Roads Authority to ensure that public funds are not wasted and that the road is completed on schedule and that construction standards are not compromised.

 He also stressed the importance of paying contractors on time, as delayed payments lead to stalled projects, ultimately denying communities much-needed services.

The minister said the road is vital for residents who have endured decades of travelling on heavy sandy terrain, which damages vehicles and makes commuting difficult.

District Road 3654, he added, is an infrastructure project with the clear purpose of improving the lives of rural communities.

This aligns with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s directive to ensure better access to schools and clinics, particularly in areas where teachers and health workers struggle to reach communities during the rainy season.