By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
Drastic action is needed to bring down the alarmingly high accident rate in the country.
The Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Joel Kaapanda, urged all stakeholders to make road safety an issue of national concern.
Officially opening the Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund’s Xupifa Eemwenyo Stakeholders Fundraising Breakfast event in Windhoek yesterday, Kaapanda said a collective approach is needed to reduce the number of fatal road accidents.
“Road safety remains a concern to all of us. The Government cannot achieve this goal alone, it needs concerted efforts from all role players, be it private or public,” said Kaapanda.
Furthermore, as a national concern, road safety is supposed to be part of the country’s national developmental programmes as well as Vision 2030.
It has become apparent that during this year’s Easter and Cassinga holidays there was a notable reduction in the number of fatalities as compared to previous years. Success is largely attributed to the ongoing Xupifa Eemwenyo road safety campaign that was launched in 2005.
Yet Kaapanda told the stakeholders not to be complacent, as accidents happen unexpectedly, like the one that happened during last month’s Heroes Day long weekend, which claimed 10 lives.
“The loss of lives should stop today. Let us apply our minds when we embark upon a journey, be considerate of other road users, respect the rules and regulations of the road,” said Kaapanda.
Meanwhile, the line ministry has also appointed a committee tasked with reviewing the existing legislation, policies and institutional fragmentation, and to propose relevant institutional frameworks on road safety.
The main objective of this committee is to create a new model of road safety management in the country.
So far the MVA Fund has raised enough funds to buy the much-needed traffic equipment for the Namibian Police like two sets of jaws of life, road traffic checkpoint signs, generators, speed measuring cameras, alcohol testers as well as equipment used for scientific investigation of accidents.
Speaking at the same occasion, Minister of Safety and Security, Peter Tsheehama, said he strongly supports the intended road safety reforms aimed at efficient road traffic and road safety management.
Despite concerted efforts, accidents are still taking their toll on the national roads due to several factors like drunken driving, unroadworthy vehicles, inconsiderate driving, ignorance of traffic rules and regulations, speeding and overloading.
Tsheehama urged the review committee under the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication to ensure that all aspects of public transport are addressed in order to ensure road safety.
“The most horrific road accidents which occurred over the past few years involved public transport and having a proper system and legislation in place to control the transport industry will immensely contribute to road safety,” said Tsheehama.
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