ONDANGWA – The Deputy Minister of Safety and Security Erastus Uutoni last Thursday inaugurated the newly refurbished Ondangwa Police Station, which was revamped at a cost of over N$7 million.
The new building includes a charge office, certifying area, station commander’s office, two boardrooms and 13 other offices.
The police station houses over two hundred police officers and at its sub-station.
In addition, the station also houses between 80 to 160 inmates daily. Since its establishment in 1962, the station only has four holding cells, which were renovated. In 2005, a new charge office and kitchen for the inmates were constructed.
Until recently, up to 23 police officers from different units would share only three offices for administration and other duties.
Uutoni said the newly constructed building is a response to the numerous complaints and suggestions about the dilapidated state of some of the police facilities.
“Our government through the Ministry of Safety and Security particularly the Namibian Police Force is giving you feedback through the infrastructural developments we are witnessing here today and elsewhere in the country,” said Uutoni.
Complementing the infrastructure, Uutoni said, with the increasing number of young blood in the force the ministry is challenged to equip itself with better infrastructure and living facilities that are able to attract young and energetic officers all over the country.
In addition, the ministry is also challenged to implement information technology fully as well as create opportunities for officers to enhance and excel in their duties.
Uutoni remarked that over the years the Namibian police have been developing processes and infrastructure to have immediate feedback on and analysis of crime to proactively develop strategies not only to arrest the culprits but to influence conditions that are aimed at reducing crime. Uutoni applauded the police in Oshana Region for the good working partnership with members of the public.
He also called on all stakeholders in the fight against crime to report persons suspected of being involved with drugs.
“I would like to use this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to report any person or persons suspected of transporting and distributing these to the Namibian Police Force,” said Uutoni.
Similarly, Uutoni called on police officers to refrain from engaging themselves in criminal activities and to carry out their noble duties of protecting the lives and properties of the Namibian people and its visitors.
On Friday at the Ongwediva Police Station, Uutoni also inaugurated the Criminal Investigation Unit extension offices, an additional four offices, a storeroom, two blocks of police barracks for junior officers and two houses for the station commander and commander of the Criminal Investigation Unit.
The Ongwediva Police Station was opened in July 2008. The station started off with four offices, a charge office, two holding cells, 51 uniform police officers and eight investigators.
The Oshana Region also received over 30 cars of which five were allocated to Ondangwa Police Station.
By Nuusita Ashipala