By William J.Mbangula
ENGELA
President Hifikepunye Pohamba has commended Namibians for demonstrating goodwill by volunteering to work on the Northern Railway Project over the weekend.
Speaking after working on the railway line last Saturday, he said mass participation by people from all regions is an indication that Namibians understand that being independent means relying on themselves.
“It is a clear indication that the people can work together towards the
achievement of common national objectives. I am even more humbled by the participation of Namibians from different regions where railway lines do exist already,” he said.
These volunteers did not behave in a selfish manner by thinking that since they have a railway line already they would not help on the project.
Such voluntarism, he noted, is indicative of the dedication of the people to participate in the social and economic development of the country.
The President said the project is not for any individual person but the property of the entire nation and future generations.
Engela where the work took place is only six kilometres from the border between Namibia and Angola. The President encouraged Namibians to continue volunteering so that the project can be completed.
After the Ondangwa Oshikango Railway is complete, he noted, work on the stretch between Ondangwa and Oshakati will follow until the line is extended to Cape Fria.
The extension of the railway from Namibia to other SADC countries should be seen in the regional context of Namibia’s contribution to the transport infrastructure and economic integration efforts currently under way in the SADC region.
“I wish to call upon the entire nation to demonstrate the same level of commitment when we embark upon the construction of the railway line section from Ondangwa to Oshakati. That will be another crucial stage in this project because it will also contribute positively to the expansion of commerce between different centres in Namibia,” he said.
The event on Saturday, which many people said could change the face of transport in Namibia, saw the participation of people from different regions including seven governors, six deputy ministers, eight ministers, the Queen of Ovakwanyama Martha Nelumbu, representatives of government and traditional authorities as well as churches and NGOs. Pledges and donations were also made at the site in kind and cash. One of the significant contributors was Oshikango businessman, Lucas Nghuuhange, who pledged a cow whenever there is a national call for voluntary service on the railway until it reaches the border. He has been donating cattle to people working on the project since last year.