Chinese firm brings relief to farm community in Namibia through road upgrade

WINDHOEK, May 28– Residents of Kombat, a village farm in north-central Namibia, can now travel with ease following the repair and upgrade of their road by Zhen Hua construction company.

In the past, the residents had to walk three kilometers to the main road from their village, because the road was in such a bad state that bus and taxi drivers refused to drive on that road.
Zhen Hua, a Chinese firm, came to the rescue, renovating the road so it can safely handle vehicle traffic.
The move brought much-needed relief to the residents.

Mee Ndeutema, an elderly woman, had to be carried by relatives to the main road after falling ill for her to catch a bus to a town hospital.

“This new road has made life easier. Cars do not refuse to drive into the farm anymore,” she said. “I am very happy. I know whenever I fall sick it will not be difficult to go to the hospital.”
Other residents of the farm said the road upgrade has brought many opportunities.

Eben Goraed, 34, said the new road will enable him to sell his produce to nearby communities.
“As a community we are very grateful,” he said, thanking the Chinese firm.
At the official opening of the upgraded gravel road on Monday, Zhang Yukong, general manager of Zhen Hua construction company, said the firm built the road to show appreciation to the local community.

He said Zhen Hua is committed to helping disadvantaged communities to improve their livelihood.
The construction company, founded in Kombat in 2001, employs more than 100 local employees, most of them from Kombat.

Also attending the official opening, Namibia’s minister of land feform, Utoni Nujoma, said the road would greatly improve access to the farm.
It was a struggle for vehicles, including ambulances and police vehicles, to reach the farm, he noted.

“I am delighted by the support that has been extended to this farming community,” Nujoma said.
Political counsellor in the Chinese Embassy to Namibia, Yang Jun, said the initiative was very touching.
Kombat, a village with a little over 2,000 residents, mainly grows crops and vegetables. – XINHUA