WINDHOEK- Bus drivers transporting passengers to and from Rundu and Katima Mulilo are unhappy over the lack of water and ablution facilities at the bus terminal along the Independence Avenue.
The Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association (NPPTA) mans the terminal situated on a piece of land near the Swapo Party headquarters.
New Era visited the site yesterday and it was obvious that there were indeed no water points or toilets, leaving the passengers and bus drivers stranded especially in cases when nature calls.
“We are suffering and you can see for yourselves that there is no water here. One has to go into the bushes in order to help themselves which is not good,” Nelson Katjii, who drives between Windhoek and Katima Mulilo.
“Even the space of operation is limited and most of the time we have to compete for space because all buses cannot fit and thus forcing other drivers to park in the road which obstructs the follow of traffic”.
However, when asked why they were not allocated serviced land, he said they were told by the City of Windhoek (CoW) to move to the recently built bus terminal at Okahandja Park but they refused to go there.
“We refused because the area is not safe and is too far from shops. Why do they (City of Windhoek) want to throw us to the edge of the town? If we go there we lose customers and passengers might find another alternative and we end up losing,” said Katjii
Uapingena Karuaera of NPPTA said he was aware of the issue, as it had been dragging on for years now. He vowed to continue operating from the current spot until they find a way out.
“It is a hazard to both the bus operators and passengers but we have reported this to the municipality a year ago and nothing has been done and we have not received any response,” said Karuaera
He added saying the delay could be because the CoW wants them to move from the area and go to the new Okahandja park bus terminal.
City of Windhoek spokesperson, Joshua Amukugo, could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print.
By Obrein Simasiku