The Minister of Works and Transport, Honourable Veikko Nekundi, has formally inaugurated the new Board of the National Road Safety Council (NRSC), marking the beginning of a five year term focused on accountability, performance and technological advancement.
During the inauguration, Minister Nekundi emphasised that the new leadership, chaired by retired Deputy Commissioner Amalia Gawanas, must move beyond tradition and embrace results driven governance. In a firm directive, the Minister instructed that all Board Members sign formal Performance Agreements within 21 days.
“These are not mere formalities,” Nekundi stated. “They are essential instruments that clarify expectations, define measurable targets and ensure accountability in the execution of the Council’s mandate.”
The newly appointed Board brings together a diverse and highly experienced team, combining expertise in law enforcement, administration and technical fields to strengthen the implementation of road safety initiatives across Namibia.
A central highlight of the inauguration was the Minister’s strong focus on modernising road safety management. As part of this vision, the National Road Safety Council has been directed to prioritise several key initiatives aimed at improving transparency, monitoring and safety on the country’s roads.
Among these initiatives is the immediate installation of dashboard cameras in 50 Namibian Police traffic vehicles and 60 state ambulances. The technology is expected to enhance accountability, improve incident reporting and support evidence based road safety management.
In addition, the Council will prioritise the finalisation of livestreaming systems at high risk blind spots and identified hotspots across the national road network. These systems are intended to improve monitoring and enable faster responses to incidents.
To further reduce nighttime road collisions involving livestock, the NRSC has also been tasked with rolling out reflective ear tags and neck collars for domestic animals. This intervention aims to increase the visibility of animals along roads during low light conditions, thereby reducing the risk of crashes.
The newly inaugurated Board is chaired by retired Deputy Commissioner Amalia Gawanas, with Mr. Matheus Sebulon Muenjo serving as Vice Chairperson. Other members include Mr. Jonas Sheelongo, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, Dr. Audre Mathe, Ms Frieda Shimakeleni, Ms Anna Libana and Mr. Rector M Mutelo.
In closing, Minister Nekundi called on the Board to uphold the highest standards of integrity and professionalism, stressing that every initiative, whether policy driven or technology based, must ultimately contribute to saving lives on Namibia’s roads.
The new Board is expected to play a crucial role in strengthening Namibia’s road safety systems, advancing innovation and supporting national efforts to reduce road crashes, injuries and fatalities.