Oshikango: 24-hour border post to ‘revive economy’
• Initiative to make truck drivers’ jobs easier
The launch of 24-hour operations at the border post "comes with new responsibilities and challenges", the minister said.
Home affairs minister Albert Kawana says the 24-hour operation of the Oshikango-Santa Clara border post will boost the tourism sector and assist in reviving the Namibian economy.
Kawana made the remarks last Friday during the launch of the 24-hour border initiative between Namibia and Angola, which he said will - among other things - bring an end to trucks having to overnight at the border post because it is closed when they arrive.
“After the economic devastation that was mainly caused by Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to adopt various measures aimed at reviving our economy,” Kawana said. “The 24-hour operation at Oshikango-Santa Clara border post is but one such measure which is aimed at reviving our economy. I also believe that additional measures such as the introduction of [the requirement of] national identity documents in place of passports between Namibia and Angola will go a long way to promote unhindered movement of our nationals between our two countries.”
The minister added that the launch of 24-hour operations at the border post “comes with new responsibilities and challenges”.
“The public and truck drivers will be expecting the congestion of trucks waiting to be cleared to become a thing of the past. Trucks should be cleared speedily as soon as they arrive, regardless of the time they arrive.”
Time is money
Kawana also touched on how the 24-hour operation of the Oshikango-Santa Clara border will boost business in both countries.
“The business community will be able to conduct business between the two countries on a 24-hour basis. As the saying goes, ‘time is money’. This will no longer apply at the Oshikango-Santa Clara border post since services will be rendered on 24 hours a day,” he said.
“Our truckers will no longer need to sleep at the border post waiting to be cleared in the morning when the border opens. The required goods and services will be delivered on time to consumers,” Kawana said.
“It is, therefore, our hope that the volumes passing through the Oshikango-Santa Clara border post will increase. The strategic location of the border post allows the two countries to promote trade relations. At the same time, costs to the business community will be reduced because of sharing facilities.”
Maximum benefit
Kawana added that Namibia is ready to launch more 24-hour borders with the Angolan government.
“In order to achieve maximum benefit, Namibia and Angola are working on opening more border crossing areas at places such as Otjimuhaka and Epupa-Montenengro in the Kunene Region, Mushangara-Mucusso in Kavango East, and Buabuata-Chetto and Sisuwe-Bico de Angola in Zambezi. The date for opening will be agreed upon by the two countries,” he said.
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Kawana made the remarks last Friday during the launch of the 24-hour border initiative between Namibia and Angola, which he said will - among other things - bring an end to trucks having to overnight at the border post because it is closed when they arrive.
“After the economic devastation that was mainly caused by Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to adopt various measures aimed at reviving our economy,” Kawana said. “The 24-hour operation at Oshikango-Santa Clara border post is but one such measure which is aimed at reviving our economy. I also believe that additional measures such as the introduction of [the requirement of] national identity documents in place of passports between Namibia and Angola will go a long way to promote unhindered movement of our nationals between our two countries.”
The minister added that the launch of 24-hour operations at the border post “comes with new responsibilities and challenges”.
“The public and truck drivers will be expecting the congestion of trucks waiting to be cleared to become a thing of the past. Trucks should be cleared speedily as soon as they arrive, regardless of the time they arrive.”
Time is money
Kawana also touched on how the 24-hour operation of the Oshikango-Santa Clara border will boost business in both countries.
“The business community will be able to conduct business between the two countries on a 24-hour basis. As the saying goes, ‘time is money’. This will no longer apply at the Oshikango-Santa Clara border post since services will be rendered on 24 hours a day,” he said.
“Our truckers will no longer need to sleep at the border post waiting to be cleared in the morning when the border opens. The required goods and services will be delivered on time to consumers,” Kawana said.
“It is, therefore, our hope that the volumes passing through the Oshikango-Santa Clara border post will increase. The strategic location of the border post allows the two countries to promote trade relations. At the same time, costs to the business community will be reduced because of sharing facilities.”
Maximum benefit
Kawana added that Namibia is ready to launch more 24-hour borders with the Angolan government.
“In order to achieve maximum benefit, Namibia and Angola are working on opening more border crossing areas at places such as Otjimuhaka and Epupa-Montenengro in the Kunene Region, Mushangara-Mucusso in Kavango East, and Buabuata-Chetto and Sisuwe-Bico de Angola in Zambezi. The date for opening will be agreed upon by the two countries,” he said.
- [email protected]
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