Etosha roads to be tarred following impact study
Public consultation process ends on 22 September
After the completion of the necessary processes, a formal application for an environmental clearance certificate will be submitted to the office of the environmental commissioner.
Ekwao Consulting has been appointed to carry out an environmental impact study (EIA) before the low-volume sealing of roads in the Etosha National Park which stretches over 214 kilometres. This method of road construction uses sealing material with an asphalt base to tar roads with low volumes of traffic.The route extends from Okaukuejo to the King Nehale Gate and includes Halali turn-off points and via Namutoni.
Tulipamwe Consulting Engineers was appointed as the engineering firm.
An environmental scope and impact study and public consultation process is therefore carried out in terms of the Environment Act and related regulations.
Interested parties can register and comment with all proposals to be submitted by September 22.
There after a formal application for an environmental clearance certificate will be submitted to the office of the environmental commissioner for consideration.
Dilapidated condition
The park has been in the news lately with numerous vehicles damaged due to the dilapidated condition of Etosha's roads.
The Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, recently said that Etosha National Park's main roads will be upgraded to asphalt standard, due to the increasing number of tourists visiting the park which puts pressure on roads and their maintenance.
Shifeta said the ministry is working hard to ensure that roads are properly serviced and that visitors can drive on them comfortably.
"We are already working on a project to upgrade the road between Okaukuejo and the King Nehale gate to an asphalt standard. This means we have to get it tarred and from there we will see to it that other major roads in Etosha are all upgraded."
The executive director in the relevant ministry, Theofilus Nghitila, agreed that the roads in Etosha should be rehabilitated and said that the statistics on tourist arrivals will help the ministry to ensure that the park's roads are kept in good condition.
Namibia recorded a 98.1% increase in tourist arrivals from 232 756 in 2021 to 461 027 in 2022. This figure indicates a recovery level of 28.9% from the annual tourist arrivals of 2019.
"We need to see tourists return after many years of restrictions. The volume of visitors flocking to Etosha is overwhelming." Nghitila said.