Impalila Island in Namibia is set to get a sealed road. Works Minister John Mutorwa officiated the groundbreaking ceremony of the low-volume seal road to be constructed
The 25-kilometre project will include the construction of minor access roads to public institutions at a cost of US $4M. The road will be constructed by Nexus Civils Company who are also constructing the Namalubi-Isize-Luhonono road.
According to Mr. Mutorwa these roads will be constructed to gravel road standards, and subsequently to low-volume seal standards over a period of two years. Plans are also underway to upgrade District Road 3524 to gravel road standards.
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Impalila Island
“Once the upgrading is completed, a wide range of benefits will be created. These include a reduction in poverty through employment creation during the construction period. The completed roads will further promote trade and tourism. In a nutshell, these roads will significantly improve the lives of the Impalila Island people,” said Mutorwa.
Impalila Island is situated at the far-eastern point of the former Caprivi strip, now known as the Zambezi region. It borders three countries, namely Zambia, Botswana and Zimbabwe, and is completely surrounded by three rivers, being Zambezi to the north, Kasaya to the west, and Chobe to the south.
The island is accessible by boat from Kasika to Impalila harbour during the dry season. Accessibility to the island can also be undertaken via District Road 3524 (Nakabolelwa- Mbalasinte- Kasika), which is an earth track through the flood plains. The rocky surface, becomes muddy and sticky, during the rainy season.
“Construction of the road will be a huge relief to the people of Impalila. I am very happy because the area residents are always struggling a lot. Especially when it rains, you cannot travel by car, only by foot. But the problem is that even by foot, it gets muddy and is difficult,” noted Mutorwa.
