Vendors sensitised on border rules
Vendors sensitised on border rules

Vendors sensitised on border rules

Ileni Nandjato
Authorities operating at the Oshikango border post at Helao Nafidi held an awareness campaign with vendors at the town's open market, during which the hawkers were urged to comply with border rules.

Police, customs and excise, immigration, veterinary, Road Fund Administration (RFA) and the Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (AMTA) officials attended the campaign at the Helao Nafidi open market on Tuesday.

The Oshikango police commander, Chief Inspector Erastus Kamati, said they will now start conducting police operations, and whoever is found contravening the law, will be arrested.

Hundreds of vendors from Namibia and Angola operate at the open market on a daily basis and many of the products they sell are obtained from Angola.

Immigration officer Peter Nghede told the vendors that they are welcome and free to conduct trade between the two countries, as long as they do so through the designated borders points and with the relevant documentation. Nghede said their office is aware that there are many Angolans staying in Namibia without proper documents and that they are being hidden by Namibians.

“When you are coming to Namibia to do your business or going to Angola to get your products or to visit, make sure you come to our office to get the relevant documents. You are therefore expected to adhere to the terms and conditions of your documents,” Nghede said.

“We are aware that there are many Angolans staying in Namibia but they do not have documents to stay here. If the police find you, they will arrest you and the person that is hiding you will also be arrested.”

Helao Nafidi is known as a hotspot for counterfeit goods and smuggling.

Customs and excise officer Nelson Naholo said vendors must report all goods that they bring in or take out of the country.

“There are some of the products that you are selling that are not allowed to be sold here. You need to acquire a permit to bring in goods to sell in the country. We do not issue permits for the counterfeit products of any kind. You are also not allowed to bring in and sell second-hand shoes and underwear, because they may transmit viruses and bacteria,” Naholo said.

He also said told vendors that the Oshikango border post is not a designated point for petroleum entry.

He said Lüderitz and Walvis Bay are the only places were petroleum is allowed to enter.

AMTA said it has a duty control all food items coming in or going out of the country.

Its representative Paulina Nampweya said the aim is to make sure that only healthy food enters or leaves the country, in order to prevent sickness.

ILENI NANDJATO

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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