Nabta launches control sheet
The Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) recently launched a control sheet which it will use to monitor passenger movement between travel destinations.
The control sheet will take down the names of passengers who board Nabta buses and will be used to identify next of kin in case of accidents, its chairman Vespa Muunda explained.
At the launch he said “It has not been an easy task to have this control sheet launched. We have experienced many difficulties. We asked the police and some ministries but they were not sure what Nabta wanted to do. However, because of the accidents, they now know what Nabta intended to do.”
According to Muunda, the control sheet is being launched 15 years after the idea was first mooted by the association.
Said Muunda: “Whenever accidents happen, people will be easily identified and that information will only be given to the police. The police will then take the matter further by investigating.”
Commenting on the recent accident which claimed the lives of 15 people, a visibly emotional Muunda said: “We do not want to see messages of condolences for 10 to 15 people anymore. It is very shameful. It does not make sense to lose 15 people in one second. We must change our behaviour.”
Katutura central councillor Ambrosius Kandjii said that Nabta was moving in the right direction.
“What has happened here is long overdue. We must not just launch the book but also look at using technology to track the names of people that board the buses,” he said.
Added Kandjii: “I thought that Nabta was only there to negotiate taxi fares. I am also happy that you also care for the safety of your passengers.”
Like Muunda, Kandjii was saddened at the number of road accidents occurring, saying: “It is now becoming a norm to have many road accidents. It seems to be something that we are just accepting.”
Kandjii called on Nabta to lobby for decent transport infrastructure like loading zones, saying: “Have you seen how buses are overloaded? It is like fighting for a piece of chocolate getting into public transport. There is no efficiency but if you people [Nabta] do not put pressure on us as lawmakers, there will be no change. I am prepared to put my hand in to support.”
OGONE TLHAGE
The control sheet will take down the names of passengers who board Nabta buses and will be used to identify next of kin in case of accidents, its chairman Vespa Muunda explained.
At the launch he said “It has not been an easy task to have this control sheet launched. We have experienced many difficulties. We asked the police and some ministries but they were not sure what Nabta wanted to do. However, because of the accidents, they now know what Nabta intended to do.”
According to Muunda, the control sheet is being launched 15 years after the idea was first mooted by the association.
Said Muunda: “Whenever accidents happen, people will be easily identified and that information will only be given to the police. The police will then take the matter further by investigating.”
Commenting on the recent accident which claimed the lives of 15 people, a visibly emotional Muunda said: “We do not want to see messages of condolences for 10 to 15 people anymore. It is very shameful. It does not make sense to lose 15 people in one second. We must change our behaviour.”
Katutura central councillor Ambrosius Kandjii said that Nabta was moving in the right direction.
“What has happened here is long overdue. We must not just launch the book but also look at using technology to track the names of people that board the buses,” he said.
Added Kandjii: “I thought that Nabta was only there to negotiate taxi fares. I am also happy that you also care for the safety of your passengers.”
Like Muunda, Kandjii was saddened at the number of road accidents occurring, saying: “It is now becoming a norm to have many road accidents. It seems to be something that we are just accepting.”
Kandjii called on Nabta to lobby for decent transport infrastructure like loading zones, saying: “Have you seen how buses are overloaded? It is like fighting for a piece of chocolate getting into public transport. There is no efficiency but if you people [Nabta] do not put pressure on us as lawmakers, there will be no change. I am prepared to put my hand in to support.”
OGONE TLHAGE
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