Kalangula questions N$70m pedestrian bridges

Sostenus Wilherm

Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula has questioned the government’s estimated N$70 million cost for two pedestrian bridges along Windhoek’s Western Bypass, demanding a detailed breakdown of the expenditure.

In a notice of question scheduled for Thursday, 5 November 2026, Kalangula challenged works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi to justify the N$35 million estimated cost per bridge amid competing national development priorities.

“The recent announcement stating that the government intends to construct two pedestrian bridges along Windhoek’s Western Bypass at a high estimated cost of N$70 million amounting to an unbelievable N$35 million per bridge has caused profound public shock and fiscal anxiety,” Kalangula stated.

The questions follow confirmation by Nekundi in parliament that designs for both bridges have been approved, with construction expected to begin between 19 November and 1 December 2026.

Nekundi has defended the estimated cost, saying the government is open to cheaper alternatives if they can deliver the required infrastructure.

“The estimated cost of the two bridges is N$70 million. If anyone can offer a cheaper solution, we welcome it,” Nekundi said.

Kalangula wants the minister to provide an itemised breakdown of the estimated N$35 million cost per bridge, including expenditure on construction materials such as steel and concrete, labour, environmental assessments, consulting and engineering fees, and design.

He also wants the ministry to explain how the proposed cost compares with the historical or actual construction costs of similar infrastructure, specifically citing the bridge with sidewalks near China Town.

The IPC shadow minister further questioned what safeguards would be put in place to prevent cost overruns, delays and variation orders during construction.

“What mechanisms are being put in place to ensure that these N$70 million tenders will not fall victim to continuous cost overruns, delays, and variation orders typical of major state infrastructure projects?” he asked.

The proposed bridges follow growing concerns over pedestrian safety along the Western Bypass, where repeated crashes, including fatal incidents, prompted authorities to introduce speed humps as an interim safety measure.

Nekundi has defended the speed humps, saying they helped reduce pedestrian-related crashes while the government worked towards permanent crossing infrastructure.

“Since the speed humps were installed as a precautionary measure, we have recorded zero crashes involving pedestrians,” he said.

He added that pedestrian crashes had previously occurred every month before the measures were introduced.

However, Kalangula’s notice describes the installation of the speed humps as a controversial intervention that cost taxpayers more than N$700 000, caused severe traffic congestion and triggered public backlash.

He said the public perception was that the disruption caused by the speed humps had been a manufactured crisis intended to force acceptance of expensive infrastructure tenders.

Kalangula also challenged the government to explain how the proposed N$70 million expenditure ranks among the country’s development priorities, given competing demands for public funds.

“Given constrained national fiscal space and pressing developmental challenges such as rural road maintenance backlogs, medicine shortages, housing backlog and educational infrastructure, how does the Ministry rank the N$70 million bridges as a national priority?” he asked.