Walvis Bay
Inspector-General of the Namibian Police Sebastian Ndeitunga has urged the business community here to meet the government halfway in its effort to boost infrastructural development to enhance the safety and security of all Namibians.
Ndeitunga was speaking on Friday at the official opening of N$4,6 million police station at Afrodite Beach between Walvis Bay and Swakopmund. The much-needed police station materialised after prominent Walvis Bay businessman John Savva partnered with the Ministry of Safety and Security and contributed N$2,6 million to the construction of the police station, while the ministry contributed an additional N$2.2 million.
The police station is named after John Savva’s son, Yanni, who tragically died in a car accident in 2010, not far from the new police station. The new station consists of a charge office, four offices, a boardroom, strong room, ablution facilities, generator room and a parking bay. It will serve the community of Longbeach and Aphrodite, particularly during the busy holiday seasons.
Ndeitunga during the opening of the station applauded Savva, whom he described as always willing to take part in activities aimed at enhancing the safety and security of the country’s inhabitants.
“For this reason he did not hesitate to offer his time and money to contribute to the safety of Namibians, especially in the Erongo Region. This facility is testimony to his response to government’s call for businesspeople to assist in infrastructural development, as government alone cannot afford to cater for the needs of [everyone in] society,” Ndeitunga said.
Ndeitunga also welcomed the fact that the new police station is strategically located, as it will serve the residents of the entire Longbeach, as well as tourists in its vicinity. He added that the station would lessen the work of police stationed at Walvis Bay, who had previously been tasked to investigate cases from the beaches to the north of the town.
“Now we will have dedicated police officers that will focus on fighting crimes along the coast, such as speeding, theft out of motor vehicles, armed robbery and housebreaking,” he noted.
The Savva family, during the station’s inauguration, said their contribution is aimed at giving back to the community and making Namibia a safer place for locals and visitors.