By: Ludorf Iyambo
The passenger transport sector has welcomed the latest COVID-19 measures announced by President Hage Geingob on Tuesday afternoon.
Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (NABTA) president Pendapala Nakathingo was particularly grateful that the president did not enforce a full lockdown and curfew during the festive season as speculated due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases.
Nakathingo stated that transport businesses would be able to operate, compared to the previous year’s festive season when the country was under lockdown and curfew, which, he says, affected transport business severely.
“Last year was a very difficult time for us because public transport was limited to carry a specific number of people per bus or taxi”, he stated. He said they’re pleased that the government is not limiting the capacity of the vehicles, particularly buses that go a long distance.
.Nakathingofurthered said that the industry was grateful to the health ministry for donating one million masks made available to public transports through the works and transport ministry.
He stressed that the public transport owners and operators should put the lives of their passengers before profit by complying with all the relevant road regulations about the roadworthiness of vehicles and speeding.
The NABTA president urged the transport owners and operators to adhere to the country’s road safety laws and regulations at all times to help reduce the carnage on the national roads this festive season.
“We are appealing to our drivers, make sure that their vehicles are up to standard, and they’re fit to carry the passengers.”
He urged public transport business owners and operators to refrain from focusing too much on maximising profits instead of concentrating on getting passengers to their destinations safely over the holidays.
Speaking to the VillagerNakathingosaid, all transport users should adhere to the rules and regulations set up regulating public transport.
“Passengers must not order the driver to drive fast. They should not demand that they want to go in a vehicle that is already full. They are the ones who have to put the public transport drivers in order and in a good spirit to gain their conscious when they are driving them through such long-distance,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, transport minister John Mutorwa said investigations are still ongoing to identify those who burned in the two accidents between Okahandja and Otjiwarango and Okahandja and Five Rand Suburb, respectively, claimed 19 lives appropriate details would be released as they become available.
“Available information has it that five vehicles were involved in the horrific crashes, that could have been avoided. As more businesses close for the festive season, more people are expected to travel to various destinations across the country. More traffic on the road does not and must not necessarily mean more collisions and accidents if all applicable rules of the roads are observed,” said Mutorwa.
“We should be mindful of the fact that all our roads are designed at a sight distance of 120 meters, meaning: when driving at the permissible speed limit of 120km per hour, you should be able to stop your vehicle safely and in time, should something suddenly be in your way.”
