An opposition politician is demanding a detailed breakdown of the estimated N$70 million cost for two pedestrian bridges.
Nelson Kalangula, shadow minister for works and transport for the Independent Patriots for Change, has questioned the government's N$70 million estimate for two pedestrian bridges along Windhoek's Western Bypass. Kalangula is demanding a detailed expenditure breakdown from Works and Transport Minister Veikko Nekundi, citing N$35 million per bridge as an "unbelievable" cost amid other national development needs. Designs for the bridges have been approved, with construction slated to begin between November 19 and December 1, 2026.
Minister Nekundi has defended the estimate, stating the government is open to cheaper alternatives that meet infrastructure requirements. Kalangula seeks an itemized list of costs, including materials, labor, environmental assessments, and engineering fees. He also wants a comparison with similar past projects, such as the bridge near China Town, and details on safeguards against cost overruns and delays common in state infrastructure projects.
The proposed bridges follow safety concerns on the Western Bypass, where fatal crashes prompted the installation of speed humps as a temporary measure. Nekundi reported zero pedestrian crashes since the humps were installed, a significant reduction from previous monthly incidents. However, Kalangula described the speed humps as a costly, congestion-causing intervention that public perception suggests was a manufactured crisis to justify expensive tenders.
Why it mattersInvestors are affected by the potential for cost overruns and delays in major state infrastructure projects, impacting budget certainty.
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