By: Justicia Shipena
Home affairs executive director Etienne Maritz says that road traffic collisions have decreased this year.
Maritz said this during the handover ceremony of vehicles procured through the Road Administration Fund on Monday.
According to Maritz, since last year, the decrease comes with 12,017 road traffic collisions, 303 fatalities, 1,061 serious injuries and 1,776 slight injuries.
“A total of 14,242 road traffic collisions were recorded, with 381 fatalities, 1,046 serious injuries and 1,903 slight injuries in 2019/2020,” he said.
Maritz said that while Namibia is in the top ten countries with the best roads, road traffic collisions are concerned.
“This correlation highlighting the highest number of road crashes, fatalities and injuries in the world and the read infrastructure is quite worrisome,” said Maritz.
With the upcoming festive season, Maritz called on driving the conversation on ensuring effective law enforcement.
During the handover ceremony, the Namibian Police received 25 new vehicles to the tune of N$11 million.
“We are honoured and gratefully register 11 Volkswagen Polo GTI, six Toyota Corolla, three Toyota Hilux Single Cab pick-up,” said Maritz.
Speaking at the ceremony, Maritz added of the 25 vehicles; only 20 were handed over on Monday.
“The suppliers will deliver the remaining five vehicles,” he said.
Additionally, the two entities signed a memorandum of agreement for funding, which will run for three years.
The agreement also mentions the supply of equipment.
“I also gratefully acknowledge five Trucam Average Speed Camera, five Intoxylazer Breath analyser, and five Max X Alcohol Screening Devices at the total cost of N$3 million.”
The total combined value of both the vehicles and equipment is said to be N$15 million.
Maritz concluded that the Ministry has a zero-tolerance for corruption and misuses the vehicles and equipment donated.
