Streetlights to be installed on Swakopmund bridge

The Erongo Regional Electricity Distributor (RED), Roads Authority (RA) and the Road Fund Administration (RFA) on Wednesday signed a tripartite agreement to install 24 streetlights with stainless steel spigots along the Swakopmund Bridge. The agreement, aimed at enhancing infrastructure at the coastal town, also includes the installation of 20 additional glass reinforced polyester streetlight poles, equipped with LED luminaires, at both ends of the bridge. The project is expected to be completed by December this year and will cost N.dollars 4.3 million co-funded by all three entities, with Erongo RED contributing N.dollars 1 million and RA and RFA each contributing N.dollars 1.7 million. Speaking at the signing ceremony, Erongo RED Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Tino !Hanabeb said the project culminated from Erongo RED's Network Infrastructure Joint Policy, which allows the company to participate and co-finance projects with RA and RFA for the provision of public electricity infrastructure. 'By pooling ou r resources and expertise, we came together with a shared vision to create a safer, more vibrant environment for our community and motorists,' !Hanabeb said. RA CEO Conrad Lutombi said the agreement will not only provide services at the Swakopmund-Walvis Bay bridge, but will also be extended to the bridge between the interchange entering Swakopmund from the start of the Dr Hifikepunye Pohamba Freeway. Lutombi noted that they hope this project will be extended to the Walvis Bay interchange bridge, through to the Walvis Bay Airport. 'This is quite an important exercise as it is aimed at enhancing safety. As we know, visibility at the coast is always affected and we hope that installing streetlights on these interchanges will improve this,' he said. Lutombi however noted with concern the increased vandalism of road safety fixtures such as road signs, guards, and bridge rails, stressing that more needs to be done to ensure that the infrastructure is protected and maintained. Meanwhile, RFA CEO Ali Ipinge sai d public, private partnerships collaborations are crucial in supporting developmental objectives and projects. 'We are constrained in terms of revenue through road user charges, but we need to make use of and invest what we get wisely while ensuring that the money we invest in road infrastructure is enhanced,' he said. Source: The Namibia News Agency