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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6746 TUESDAY 24 APRIL 2018 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
Swakop railway station still under construction - yet used by the public Swakopmund residents and visitors are becoming increasingly frustrated to use the station building in Swakopmund which is still under construction but already open for use by rail travelers. The building complex does not even have a roof yet (see picture on the right), has uncomplete ablution facilities and people feel unsafe, as the building is not guarded and rail travelers fear they might become the target of criminals whilst waiting at the station or disembarking waiting for people to come and pick them up. So dire is the situation becoming now that many opt to disembark at Walvis Bay and then use the services of a taxi or shuttle to Swakopmund. The latest person to complain is resident Simon Beukes who recently took his grandmother to the railway station, but discovered there are no security guards on duty to keep waiting passengers safe. There is also no running water at the station and no ablution facilities, claims Beukes. His grandmother is a regular railway passenger and was
underway from Swakopmund to Keetmanshoop. As a regular rail traveler it is important for her that stations are safe for passengers and that basic amenities such as clean toilets and tap water are present. “I was shocked by what I found when I took my grandmother to the station. It is unsafe, especially if you are alone. Older people are defenseless and can easily become targets of criminals if the stations are not properly guarded”, explained Beukes. Adding, people are left no other option than seeking safety in numbers by waiting with the passengers at the station until they can embark a train. What was also outrageous to Beukes is the fact that in the absence of functioning ablution facilities, people relieve themselves wherever they please (see picture top right). That creates a stench and is not only unhygienic and a breeding area for flies, but also an embarrassment to Nami-
bia as a country. Some of the toilets not functioning are even used by others as dustbins. A second resident who was at the station over the weekend, said passengers are now considering rather disembarking in Walvis Bay and catch a taxi to Swakopmund. That is out of fear for their safety and the sheer unpleasantness of the station at Swakopmund. “If you didn’t make arrangements for someone to pick you up at the station right after you disembark, I can say your life is in danger. Anything can happen to you or your belongings. It really is a terrible situation, very disappointing and very disgusting for a town which has so many tourists. Imagine if a tourist decides to take the train to Swakopmund and found this? Do you think that they would want to come back?”, he stressed. The railway station was moved to pave Continues on page 2
inside
Fish quotas reserved for those who perform
Page 3
Electricity tariff hike on the cards after bulk tariff increase
Erongo Marine makes history
Page 5
Harness Erongo’s weather for energy
Pages 7
Aerial picture of Ruacana Hydro-electrical scheme The Electricity Control Board (ECB) of Namibia approved a 5 % bulk electricity tariff for NamPower for the 2018/2019 period. The increase becomes effective on 1 July. The bulk tariff is applicable to bulk customers of NamPower which includes bulk users like the mines and also regional electricity distributors. It is expected that regional electricity distributor Erongo Red will also increase its retail power tariffs to consumers once the 5 % bulk increase comes into force on 1 July. In a statement this week the ECB said NamPower requested a bulk tariff hike of 6,56 % but that only 5 % was approved. The ECB says the 5 % increase is sufficient for NamPower to cover its cost of bulk electricity supply to Namibia.
Kickboxers off to African Games Page 16