The Roads Contractor Company (RCC) has moved to dispel speculation circulating on social media over the Oshakati–Ompundja road project, saying no equipment or property has been removed from the construction site.
In a statement, RCC said it had taken note of a video shared on social media platforms in Oshiwambo that refers to items allegedly removed from the Oshakati–Ompundja construction camp and raises concerns about possible asset removals.
RCC clarified that all equipment assigned to the project remains in place and that there has been no incident involving the removal of company assets from the site.
The company said it was issuing the clarification to prevent misunderstanding and speculation that could be wrongly linked to the project.
Although the video does not explicitly identify RCC equipment, the company said it considered it necessary to address the matter proactively in the interest of transparency and responsible communication.
RCC urged members of the public to verify information through official channels and cautioned against sharing content that may be misleading or taken out of context, warning that such material could create unnecessary concern within communities and among project stakeholders.
The company reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and said it would continue to engage the public through its official communication platforms as work on the Oshakati–Ompundja road project continues.
The Oshakati–Ompundja road project forms part of the Namibian government’s broader programme to upgrade rural and regional road infrastructure in the Oshana Region, where traffic volumes and population growth have placed sustained pressure on existing gravel roads.
The route links Oshakati, the region’s leading commercial and administrative centre, with Ompundja and surrounding constituencies that depend on the corridor for daily commuting, access to schools, health services and local markets.
The project was officially launched in November 2025 by the Minister of Works and Transport, Veikko Nekundi, marking the start of construction on the first phase of the upgrade.
That initial phase covers approximately 12 kilometres of the road and is being upgraded to a low-volume sealed standard, a design intended to improve road safety, reduce dust and lower long-term maintenance costs on busy rural routes.
The first phase of the project carries an estimated cost of about N$28.9 million, funded through government allocations administered by the Roads Authority.
The full Oshakati–Ompundja corridor extends for more than 40 kilometres, with further phases expected to follow as funding becomes available.
The RCC, a state-owned enterprise responsible for the construction and rehabilitation of Namibia’s road network, was appointed to implement the works under the supervision of the Roads Authority.
In line with government infrastructure policy, the project includes local economic participation, with a portion of the works allocated to small and medium-sized enterprise subcontractors and employment opportunities created for workers from surrounding communities.
The upgrade follows long-standing concerns over the condition of the existing road, which has deteriorated due to traffic loads, weather impacts and limited maintenance, particularly during the rainy season.
Once completed, the Oshakati–Ompundja road is expected to improve travel times, enhance safety and strengthen connectivity between rural settlements and Oshakati’s economic hub, supporting broader regional development in northern Namibia.
*Photo credit: New Era
