By Charles Tjatindi
WALVIS BAY
In anticipation of an influx of visitors flocking to the coast over the festive season, the Municipality of Walvis Bay has appealed to would-be visitors to stick to rules and regulations at major holiday spots such as Long Beach and Dolphin Park.
The municipality says certain areas along the beach are strictly out of bounds for off-road driving, including quad biking. This is meant to avoid accidents caused by off-road driving along the beaches, which are normally clustered with holidaymakers. The municipality has already erected signs along prohibited areas.
It also says where off-road driving is allowed, vehicles should be fully licensed and registered before accessing these areas. Drivers of such vehicles are also urged to carry their driver’s licences at all times, while quad bikers and their passengers are encouraged to wear protective helmets to minimise injuries in the event of an accident.
Offenders will be slapped with fines ranging from N$150 to N$300, depending on the offence. Those who refuse to cooperate will be arrested and could spend the festive season behind bars.
The municipality has also engaged temporary lifeguards to be stationed at major holiday spots. These spots include Long Beach, Dolphin Park, Independence Beach and the Municipal Swimming Pool.
About two weeks ago, a 17-year-old boy, Sebulon Tuhafeni Kambindhi, drowned at the Municipal Swimming Pool, raising public concern over the absence of a lifeguard at the premises.
A municipality official told New Era that the town is set to receive a large number of visitors as local and foreign tourists have already started streaming in.
“Usually, people only start their holidays around the 15th (of December), but this time around it is different. I think we will have a good turnout this year,” he said.
He urged those visiting the coast to mind the fragile ecosystem and avoid going into areas marked off limits, as doing so could damage the environment.
Certain plants in this fragile ecosystem can take years to reach maturity again once destroyed, and tracks left behind by vehicles driving in prohibited areas can also deface dunes and other places.
All major holiday resorts managed by the Municipality at Walvis Bay are fully booked until the first week of January.
New Era has also established that most facilities at the coast are also either fully booked or have a few openings until mid-January.