Nangula Shejavali
13 October 2008
The Ministry of Works and Transport on Friday launched a public education campaign on the seating capacity of passenger carrying vehicles, bringing to light a Government regulation that had been in existence for the past seven years, but that had not been enforced.
The campaign seeks to ensure that all commercial buses meet the necessary seating requirements to do away with seat overloading.
This regulation affects buses with a loading capacity of 22 passengers, but have been fitted with 28 seats.
Bus owners present at the launch of the campaign, questioned how Government had overlooked the use of 28-seater buses that did not meet the stated regulation.
"We are not the dealers or the ones who constructed the bus.
How did Government allow for the 28-seater?" questioned an unhappy bus owner who operates four 28-seater buses that carry passengers between Windhoek and the North.
He further questioned whether Government would assist bus owners in converting these buses to the 22-seaters to meet the requirements.
Another bus owner expressed his concern that owners had not been properly consulted in this regard, despite the fact that approximately 144 busses would be affected when the regulation is enforced.
Julius Ngwedha, Public Relations Officer at the Ministry of Works and Transport admitted that the ministry was aware that bus owners were not keen on the issue, but emphasised that road safety was the major concern and needed to be taken seriously.
Kenapeta Kauari, Under Secretary in the Department of Transport, stated that "the issue of seats in passenger vehicles is an issue of life and death."
He added, "I am convinced that this is an issue that we cannot afford to continue ignoring or treat as if it does not exist and by doing so is like shooting ourselves in the foot."
Kauaria urged bus owners to forge alliances with law enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with traffic rules and regulations, and appealed to stakeholders in the transport sector to work together to ensure safety on the national roads.
"Is it worth making an extra buck at the expense of the lives of others?" he questioned.
Kauaria concluded by stating that the ministry is aware of the importance of a white paper on Transport Policy to regulate the transport sector, and that stakeholders would be consulted in this regard.
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