EU serious about fighting poverty

OMAGONGATI – The European Union will help Namibia to strengthen its roads network, thereby alleviating the high transport costs especially the rural population has to bear.

A proper well-maintained road network is the backbone for meaningful socio-economic development, especially for rural poor communities, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Namibia Elizabeth Pape said in a speech delivered on her behalf by EU Charge d’Affaires Jose Chantre at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Omagongati gravel road on Monday.The 11,5-kilometre Omagongati road, commissioned by President Hifikepunye Pohamba, is expected to cost about N$14 million.The EU Development Fund (EUDF) gave N$40,5 million last October for the expansion and building of new rural roads in the country.’The road network is a key element of the Namibian economy and for its rural economy in particular,’ Pape said.She said the vastness of the country compared to its very low population density makes the local markets highly transport-dependent, and the costs of such transport networks per citizen among the highest in the world.’For this structural condition alone, the sustainable financing of the transport routes represents a big challenge for Namibia,’ the EU Ambassador said.She added that the expansion of the country’s road network in previously disadvantaged areas and the fact that large sections of the road have reached the end of its lifespan will additionally increase the financial requirements in the short term.Pape hailed Namibia for having committed considerable significance to the transport sector in its national development goals, such as the National Development Plans and Vision 2030.She, however, advised that much more needs to be done to improve the country’s transport sector, as most of its current road infrastructure is focused on tourist and industrial hubs.In 2002, the country had a road network with a total length of 42 237 kilometres of which 5 406 kilometres were tarred. Pape stressed that a well-maintained road network will alleviate the plight of many communities in the north that are still largely dependent on livestock rearing and some crop production.She said the provision of other basic services such as access to clean drinking water, sanitation and health facilities, and education still remains a challenge in the northern parts of the country.The EU, she said, remains committed to assist the country in its quest for rural poverty alleviation.The EU allocated N$535,9 million for rural development under the EUDF to the country, a part of which is meant for road infrastructure development.The EU has of late opted for what it terms sector budget support, where the Western countries’ regional grouping offers funds to a country without identifying specific projects, provided such projects embarked upon by recipient countries meet certain laid down criteria.The German Bank for Development (KfW), also partly funded the Omagongati gravel road network project.Omagongati is situated some 10 kilometres west of Ondangwa in the Oshana region. – Nampa

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