New and upgraded infrastructure valued at NAD166 million (US$10.1 million) has been inaugurated across Etosha, Hardap and Bwabwata national parks.
The handover ceremony took place on March 28 at Ombika in Etosha National Park and included upgraded entrance gates, comfort stops and duty stations for Wildlife Protection Services (WPS).
Under the Namibia National Parks Programme, infrastructure upgrades worth approximately NAD48 million (US$2.9 million) were implemented. In Etosha, this included renovations to the Ombika, Namutoni and King Nehale entrance gates, upgrades to ablution facilities with picnic areas, information displays, viewing platforms and parking as well as new signage installations.
In Hardap National Park, the main gate and smaller entrance gates, including Fish Route Gate and Game Park Gate, were renovated alongside new ablution facilities.
Through the Integrated Wildlife Protection Management Project, approximately NAD118 million (US$7.1 million) was invested in WPS infrastructure. This includes the construction of Buffalo and Susuwe West stations in Bwabwata National Park, Leeudrink and Otjovasandu stations in Etosha National Park and Sesfontein Station in the Kunene region.
Developments include new staff houses, offices, service blocks, storerooms and administration buildings with operations rooms as well as upgrades to power and water systems, sewerage infrastructure, fencing and kennels for canine units.
The developments were co-funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development through KfW Development Bank and the Namibian government via the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
