Nkurenkuru
Kavango West Governor Sirkka Ausiku is hoping that with the opening of NaTIS at Nkurenkuru local entrepreneurs will now establish a taxi service in that area.
Currently the newly established town of Nkurenkuru, that serves as the regional capital for Kavango West, does not have any taxis or public transport for its growing population.
She said the establishment of a NaTIS office at Nkurenkuru would create employment opportunities in the transport sector and implored the youth to grab the opportunity to create jobs within the transport sector in the region and urged them not to miss out on the opportunity to create jobs for themselves.
Ausiku was speaking at the official opening of the NaTIS Nkurenkuru office on Monday.
“As you can all see, we do not have taxis in town and as a result our community members walk long distances within Nkurenkuru Town and even outside the town boundaries,” she said.
“I hope from next week we will not be footing anymore, but taxi transport will be available to take us around in town and help by dropping off our learners at schools. For this to happen we are requesting NaTIS Nkurenkuru Office to grant public transport permits for Kavango West Region.”
Ausiku also took the opportunity to thank Minister of Works and Transport Alpheus !Naruseb for playing helping to bring NaTIS to Kavango West Region, particularly Nkurenkuru Town.
“The inhabitants of the region will now have access to NaTIS services without having to drive 260 kilometres to and from Rundu.
“As a region we’re happy that the ministry kept the promise made by the then Deputy Minister Kilus Nguvauva during the official opening of the road (D3427) from Tondoro-Kamupupu to Mburuuru on 10 March 2015,” Ausiku said.
“At the same event at that time we also requested for the same road to be extended to reach road D3446 (Charlie-Cut-Line), which is approximately 30 kilometres. I’m happy that the ministry is also attending to that request,” Ausiku added.
The new NaTIS office will not offer all services, but will render some services, such as learner’s license testing, as well as vehicle registration and licensing. It is expected that other services will be introduced in due course.
“We believe that it will become a fully fledge office, providing all services in the near future. As people say, it’s better to start with something than to have nothing at all,” Ausiku opined.