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THE Roads Authority (RA) continues bringing its services closer to the people at Bukalo village, and the remote areas of Zambezi region.

Of recent, new NaTIS Office was inaugurated at the Bukalo Village Council an outskirt village situated some 38 Kilometres away the Katima Mulilo capital of Zambezi region to carter for the grassroots communities.

In line with the development programs and the national policies of the government of The Republic of Namibia, the line Ministry of Works and Transport in conjunction with the Roads Authority have been mandated to deliver services to the people across the country.

Recent statistics have showed an upward trend of demand of NaTIS services countrywide with a significant increase over the last financial year, with statistics indicating that 42893 learners license were issued between 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, which represents a significant increase of about 4%.

However, the number of registered vehicle population increased by 10% showing a total of 439447, this is described to be a positive indication that Roads Authority probably needs to expand and upgrade NaTIS infrastructures in all parts of the country.

The Bukalo NaTIS Office is another achievement and an important milestone to be proud of by the Ministry of Works and Transport, Roads Authority, Bukalo Village Council and the Zambezi region at large.

According to the Minister of Works and Transport, Honourable John Mutorwa who inaugurated the new state-of-the art office, stressed that Roads Authority and Bukalo Village Council (BVC) have signed a memorandum of agreement that will mandate BVC to manage the NaTIS Office, and all costs that are incurred by the Bukalo Village Council will be fully reimbursed by the Roads Authority with an additional mark-up as stipulated in the said signed Memorandum of Agreement.

Before Namibia’s independence, communities were clustered according to homeland, and people from various regions had to travel long distances to receive learner’s driving and motor vehicle testing services, and this has been the story of the past, because now the Roads Authority has decentralised testing functions by constructing some fully-fledged modern motor vehicle and driver testing stations countrywide.

Therefore, in terms of the Decentralisation Policy of the Namibian government, its aim is to take services closer to the people in all regions of the country.

Hon. Mutorwa cautions motorists “Make it a habit to observe road traffic rules and use the road in a safe and consideration manner in order to avoid accidents and loss of innocent lives and I encourage all road users, especially drivers to stop speeding, overloading and drink while driving, we shall continue to spread this message until we see a drastic change in the number of accidents on our roads and change of all driver.”

The Bukalo NaTIS Office has now its own approved vehicle license mark, which is N-BK. People of Bukalo Village those who currently have their vehicles registered at other registering authorities are encouraged to move their vehicles to Bukalo.

The youth  are also encouraged to apply for their learner licenses in order to obtain driving licenses to become legal drivers on the road, and to otherwise increase the vehicle and driver population of the Bukalo NaTIS, which will fast track the process of making the Bukalo NaTIS Office, a fully-fledged NaTIS testing station.

So far, RA has opened operations of NaTIS Offices in towns such as Arandis, Hentisbay, Omuthiya, Okongo, Divundu, Okahao, Tsumkwe and lastly at Bukalo in Zambezi region and in the near future it will launch another number plate at Kongola which will be N-KN.

The Roads Authority is also embarking on the other projects to commence soon in Zambezi region such as the upgrading of gravel roads at Masokotwani – Kwena – Sikanjabuka to Sizimbukwa. While Bukalo-Muyako to Ngoma will be upgraded to low volume seal with the design that has started.

Linyanti – Sibbinda in the South West of Zambezi will be also upgraded to low volume seal, and Bukalo-Kabbe-Lusese to Ikumwe East of Katima Mulilo will be upgraded to low seals.

Katima Mulilo – Mafuta to Kalumba gravel road will be also upgraded to low volume while access roads in Impalila are currently progressing well.

Roads Authority’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Conrad Lutombi alludes that “We are aware of poor conditions of gravel roads in Zambezi due to rain and we are committed to ensure that once the rain stops, we will commence with re-gravelling and we are also prepared to serve road users wherever flood will hit as we are currently doing in Ohangwena and Omusati regions”