Die Road Fund Administration (RFA) will gemeinsam mit dem Tourismusministerium die Sanierung der Straßen im Etosha-Nationalpark voranbringen. Dazu unterzeichneten beide Seiten in dieser Woche eine Absichtserklärung. Die RFA will demnach in den kommenden fünf Jahren bis zu N$ 700 Millionen in den Ausbau und die Wiederherstellung der touristischen Straßen im Etosha-Nationalpark investieren. Die Gelder sollen nach RFA-Angaben aus den Straßennutzungsabgaben stammen. Derweil seien seit 2020 bereits über 270 Kilometer saniert worden, so RFA-Geschäftsführer Ali Ipinge dazu gegenüber Future Media. Nun sei es zudem geplant, die Hauptroute zwischen Okaukuejo über Halali und Namutoni bis zum King-Nehale-Tor zu sogenannten Low-Volume-Sealed-Roads aufzuwerten.

Ministry commissions new state of the art grader in ENP

The ministry of environment forestry and tourism has commissioned a new state of the art grader worth N$5 million in the Etosha National Park. The grader was procured through the Game Product Trust Fund and commissioned by Teofilus Nghitila, Executive Director in the Ministry. While commissioning the grader, Nghitila noted that this new addition to the road maintenance fleet will go a long way in ensuring that tourist roads are maintained to enhance the experience of visitors in the park. According to Nghitila as the Namibian high tourist season urges closer and the roads must be in a good condition. He stressed that the acquisition of this grader is the beginning of renewed efforts by the Ministry gradually improve National Parks infrastructure. He adds that more equipment will be procured in the near future depending on availability of resources. The Executive Director also noted that the grader will not only assist in the maintenance of roads but also contribute to the general management of the park through maintenance of excess routes for park administrators, water points for animals, and fire breaks. According to Nghitila the Ministry since 2021 has been receiving conservation fees and park entry fees this are the same funds that are reinvested to improve the capacity of the country’s National Park.