Kahmann Outlines Walvis Bay Road Rehabilitation Plans at Kuisebmund Engagement
Walvis Bay Municipality is stepping up efforts to address deteriorating road infrastructure through expanded pothole repairs, resurfacing and road rehabilitation, Councillor Adolf Kahmann said during a community engagement in Kuisebmund on Tuesday.
Kahmann said the municipality is working to improve road conditions across Walvis Bay, with the Roads Authority expected to assist with pothole repairs and other road infrastructure interventions.
He explained that councillors receive progress updates from the municipality’s technical departments, while the administration is responsible for the day-to-day implementation of council resolutions.
“Councillors do not get involved in the daily operations of the administration,” Kahmann said, explaining that council provides resolutions while the administration implements them.
According to Kahmann, the municipality’s road programme covers several areas, including immediate pothole repairs, resurfacing and the rehabilitation of roads that have deteriorated significantly.
He said the municipality has been engaging with the Roads Authority on assistance with road rehabilitation and repair projects, describing the support as necessary to bring the town’s roads back to an acceptable standard.
Kahmann acknowledged that residents may sometimes question why potholes in particular areas have not yet been repaired, especially when road maintenance teams are not immediately visible.
He explained that roadwork teams have been distributed strategically across different parts of Walvis Bay rather than concentrating all available teams in one location.
The approach, he said, is intended to prevent unnecessary disruption to traffic and allow the municipality to work on different categories of road projects simultaneously.
While one team may be attending to potholes, another could be undertaking larger rehabilitation work elsewhere, meaning that the absence of a visible repair team in one neighbourhood does not necessarily mean that road maintenance is not taking place.
Kahmann also appealed to residents to view Walvis Bay as one community, saying road improvements in one area ultimately benefit the wider town.
The current road repair and rehabilitation programme is expected to run for 12 months, after which the municipality will undertake another procurement process to appoint contractors for subsequent work.
Kahmann said this approach would also allow other contractors an opportunity to participate in municipal projects rather than having roadwork concentrated with a single contractor.
Meanwhile, the municipality is preparing for larger road rehabilitation projects that could affect businesses operating along some of the affected routes.
Kahmann said small and medium-sized enterprises operating along roads earmarked for rehabilitation have been notified in advance and are being encouraged to consider alternative arrangements where necessary.
He said the municipality is exploring possible alternatives for affected businesses, including the possibility of providing land, although he stressed that no commitments had yet been made.
The Roads Authority is also expected to assist with pothole repairs in various parts of Walvis Bay, with the municipality anticipating that the work will begin soon.
Kaman further outlined plans aimed at improving traffic flow by creating additional access routes between the town and industrial areas.
The proposed infrastructure improvements are intended to provide alternative routes for motorists and reduce congestion during peak morning and afternoon periods.
He said improving connectivity between different parts of the town could ease pressure on heavily used routes and improve movement between residential, commercial and industrial areas.
Kahmann urged residents to remain patient as the municipality implements the various road projects.
He also called on motorists to pay close attention to temporary road signs, traffic diversions and construction demarcations while roadworks are underway.
Parents were further urged to ensure that children do not play near construction sites, where heavy machinery and ongoing roadworks could pose safety risks.
Kahmann said cooperation between the municipality and the community would be essential to ensuring that road rehabilitation projects are implemented effectively and that Walvis Bay’s road network is progressively improved.
The engagement in Kuisebmund formed part of the municipality’s efforts to update residents on infrastructure developments and respond to concerns affecting communities.
