THE Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) will introduce new taxi signs from Monday next week.

The national secretary of Nabta, Vespa Muunda, said the roof signs will be compulsory for all cabs operating in Windhoek.

This new signs will replace the large 'shark fin' lights introduced some few years ago that were not only in short supply, but also proved to be a safety risk.

"The big light signs result in taxis swerving when the wind is blowing strongly, while commuters could also not transport their stuff on the roofs of taxis," Muunda said.

A total of 6 000 new signs are in stock and will be offered at a price of N$485, including a one-year warranty.

Muunda said the stock should be enough as there were about 5 500 taxis operating in the city when the signs were ordered a year ago. He said extra stock would be ordered should there be additional demand.

The new signs are easy to mount and taxi owners will not need to drill holes in the roofs of their cars to affix them.

Muunda said a special device has been put in the signs to ensure that they only work on a specific car, making theft impossible and easily detectable.

Nabta is in a tussle with a rival association, the Namibia Public Passenger Transport Association, over which is the rightful representative of taxi drivers in the country.