Labour-intensive road construction VI

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Due to the lack of road connections, access to schools, health stations, administrative facilities and markets is associated with high costs and considerable effort for many rural households in the 4-O region (Ohangwena, Oshikoto, Omusati, Oshana). Particularly in times of heavy rainfall and severe flooding, households are temporarily completely cut off from supply and administrative facilities. The lack of access to all-weather roads has a direct impact on the income, educational opportunities and health care of the affected population. The program includes the construction of around 275 km of gravel roads in the Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions to improve the rural population's access to educational and health facilities as well as to markets. The roads proposed for funding arise from the national road development plan (Road Master Plan), which was drawn up by the Namibian Roads Authority and updated in 2012. The prioritization of road construction projects contained therein is based on both economic efficiency and social benefit and the increase of an indicator that measures the rural population's access to the road network (Rural Access Index). As part of the measure, up to 2,300 local workers will be employed and 26 small businesses will be contracted. The total cost of the program is around EUR 50 million (including VAT), with around 70% of the costs being financed by the high Namibian contribution. The FC funds amount to EUR 15 million.