WINDHOEK -- The Main Road 25 (MR 25) that was built at a cost of 872 million Namibian dollars (70 million US dollars) by a Chinese company in the northeast Zambezi region of Namibia was inaugurated Friday by President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

The project involved the Chinese company MCC in partnership with the Roads Contractor Company with funding from the Namibian government.

Stretching for about 209 kilometres, it is the longest road constructed after Namibia's independence. The road connects the Wenela border post between Botswana and Namibia and Ngoma border post between Namibian and Botswana.

In addition, the road will connect the Trans-Zambezi Highway that forms part of the Walvis Bay-Ndola Lumbumbashi Corridor. In Namibia, the road links Liselo-Linyanti-Sangwali-Kongola and Singalamwe.

Thirty-nine Namibian small to medium enterprises were sub- contracted on the project while 477 Namibians were employed.

Speaking at the inauguration that was attended by the Chinese Ambassador to Namibia Xin Shunkang, President Pohamba said the road would facilitate trade between Namibia and Zambezi as well as provide an important link to facilitate more efficient movement of people, goods and services.

He also said the road would play an important role in the development of Namibia especially now when Namibia is celebrating her 25th anniversary.

"It will contribute to the improvement of the living conditions of our people as well as to regional integration. The road will reduce travel time, while promoting safer and more efficient transport for road users," President Pohamba said.

He added that the tourism sector will benefit greatly from the completion of the road especially regarding the Mamili Game Park and Mudumu National Park in the Zambezi region.

"Another important aspect is that the road provides linkages to many rural areas," President Pohamba said.

Pohamba warned against vandalism of road signs and traffic signs, saying such acts cost the government a lot of money.