Angula acknowledges mess at TransNamib

MINISTER of Works and Transport, Helmut Angula, says a host of problems are hampering effective service delivery at TransNamib.

Addressing a meeting with regional and local councillors and Government officials at Keetmanshoop yesterday, Angula cited political interference, lack of money and lack of expertise as factors crippling the parastatal’s service delivery. ‘People with the technical know-how leave the railway company for greener pastures because of political frustration,’ Angula said. Angula said the parastatal recently had to spend N$75 million to refurbish eight locomotives in an attempt to render better service. ‘The parastatal’s bank balance is in red ink. Following the strike that had paralysed the parastatal’s finances, Government and Bank of Namibia had to cough up for the parastatal workers’ salaries from September to October last year,’ he said. ‘I do not know who sourced the workers’ salaries for December and January since I haven’t received reports yet,’ he added. According to Angula, Trans­Namib workers are demanding a salary rise despite the financial constraints. The Minister said he took full responsibility for what is happening at TransNamib after Karas Governor Dawid Boois asked him who should be blamed for the mess the parastatal finds itself in. Among the complaints about poor service are inconsistent arrival and departure times of passenger trains and poor safety measures, Boois said. Boois referred to a recent incident when a passenger train caught fire 20 kilometres north of Keetmanshoop. ‘There were not even fire extinguishers on the passenger coaches to fight the fire,’ he said. Boois said the bad service rendered by the parastatal is ‘tarnishing the Government’s image’. ‘Are there no strategies in place to rescue the current situation at TransNamib or is it non-commitment on part of the TransNamib management,’ Boois asked. Angula pledged to raise these concerns with the TransNamib management. ‘We’re equally ashamed of the poor services rendered by the railway carrier,’ Angula said. luqman@namibian.com.na