Marythar Kambinda
KATIMA MULILO – Residents in Bukalo and surrounding areas were delighted to witness the official inauguration of the Bukalo Namibian Traffic Information System office on Thursday, which will be operating within the Bukalo village council offices.
The NaTIS facility will cater for the registration and licensing of vehicles, annual renewal of vehicle licenses, renewal of driving licenses as well as testing and issuing of learners licenses.
Speaking at the official inauguration of the new NaTIS office, Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa said the Roads Authority has in the past years made significant practical strides in taking NaTIS services much closer to the people.
He said although at this stage small in size, the office will have an enormous impact on the people in the area, and it was indeed another achievement that the Zambezi leadership, together with the Roads Authority, can be proud of.
Before independence, communities from various regions had to travel very long distances for services, which have over the years been expanded by constructing fully-fledged modern vehicle and driver testing stations countrywide, said Mutorwa.
The ministry, via the Roads Authority, continues to pursue the GRN policy objective of equity and inclusiveness in the “Namibian house” so that everyone eventually has access to essential public services, stated Mutorwa.
“I would like to assure you that our government, with the implementing agency, the Roads Authority, will continue to construct new vehicle and driver testing centres, as well as upgrade existing centres to eventually ensure effective and efficient public service delivery in all corners of our country,” he said.
The minister further encouraged residents of Bukalo who currently have vehicles registered at other registering authorities to move their vehicles to Bukalo.
“The youth are also encouraged to obtain driving licenses to become legal drivers on the road,” he said.
The minister added his office is inundated with requests and demands for NaTIS services from all corners of the country.
“We have, thus, commenced to explore, among others, the introduction of an intelligent driving testing centre, NaTIS business and contact centres, as well as the acquisition of a mobile vehicle testing station. However, due to limited funds, these ongoing initiatives will be done in phases over a number of years,” said Mutorwa.
He further encouraged customers, including officials, to refrain from illegal activities.
“Please obtain your documents only at NaTIS offices and over the counter. Avoid dealings with conmen and conwomen, whose aim is to rob people of their hard-earned money”, he said.
If and when you are caught engaging in dubious agendas, including those people, who pay conmen and conwomen, you will face the full wrath of the law, said the minister.
Let us make it a habit to observe road traffic rules and use the road safely and considerately to avoid accidents and loss of innocent lives, said Mutorwa.
Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu encouraged road users to be vigilant when driving to ensure safe driving.