Dr Leake Hangala
Namibia has launched a pilot project where visas will be issued on arrival at the Hosea Kutako International Airport.
Speaking during the launch of the pilot project Wednesday, the Namibia Airports Company board chairperson Dr Leake Hangala said the move will not only modernize Namibia’s visa system, but it will definitely increase efficiency, promote tourism and economic growth.
More so, Dr Hangala said, new opportunities will be unlocked to our key stakeholders in the aviation industry and beyond.
He added that the initiative will make Namibia a destination of choice, attract skills and facilitating increased trade and investment to position Namibia as the logistic hub.
According to Dr Hangala, airports are a critical gateway to any country’s economy and this pilot project to issue visas upon arrival is one of the smarter approaches to support tourism and economic growth, whilst simultaneously maintaining the integrity and security of national borders.
“Granting of visas at the airport is not an end in itself, but should be a means to make a competitive nation in terms of movements of people and goods, in terms of service delivery and of projecting an image of professionalism,” he said.
Dr Hangala urged all stakeholders starting with NAC staff, immigration, customs and the police involved in welcoming visitors at the airport to ensure that they treat them with utmost respect and dignity and never subject them to any form of prejudice that can disappoint or humiliate them.
“Our immigration and customs officials are indeed expected to ensure that laws and regulations of our country are respected and adhered to, but that should be done with the utmost professionalism.
“We can be strict in enforcing the laws and security of our country but most importantly we should not treat everybody like a criminal,” he said.
In this context, Dr Hangala said, Namibia Airports Company pledges to render support to its partners to working together in providing customer service training to the key stakeholders at the flagship airport to ensure that the staff is properly trained.
