WINDHOEK, Sept. 3 -- A ceremony was held Tuesday in Namibia's southern town of Tses to celebrate the commissioning of the B1 highway, the country's key transportation route, after its rehabilitation project is finished.

The rehabilitation project of the B1 highway involves the 88-km section from Keetmanshoop in Karas Region to Mariental in Hardap Region in southern Namibia.

Tuesday's event was attended by John Mutorwa, deputy prime minister and minister of works and transport, Aletha Frederick, the governor of Karas Region, and other government officials, representatives of China Henan International Cooperation Group Limited (Henan International), the construction company, as well as more than 400 local people.

While addressing the ceremony, Mutorwa thanked the Chinese company for its high-quality work and for delivering the project one month ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, it has trained 500 skilled workers, said Mutorwa.

Aletha Frederick, governor of Kharas Region, told reporters that Henan International has significantly contributed to the infrastructure construction and socioeconomic development of Kharas, and the project has set a new benchmark for future road infrastructure projects in Namibia.

Cui Yunke, general manager of Henan International Namibia Company, said that since the project started in February 2021, they have overcome difficulties such as the COVID-19 epidemic during construction. The company employed more than 800 local people, helping local smallholder farmers, women and youth increase their income, and supporting the coordinated development of the local community.

The B1 highway is the only highway connecting Namibia to South Africa, Namibia's largest trading partner. The commissioning of the road is expected to enhance the movement of goods and the safety of transportation of people between the two countries and contribute to the economic development of Namibia.

  - Xinhua