IPC warns against unnecessary drone, animal reflector tenders

The Independent Patriot’s for Change (IPC) has warned against unnecessary tenders for animal reflectors or drones to improve road safety conditions.

This comes after minister of works and transport Veikko Nekundi proposed that his ministry would roll out live-streaming cameras at blind spots on the roads and deploy drones as part of a broader strategy to reduce road accidents in the country.

IPC shadow minister of works and transport Nelson Kalangula says there are more pressing concerns, such as reviewing outdated acts and upgrading the country’s infrastructure.

“The review of outdated acts and upgrades of infrastructure as per the statistics of the National Statistics Agency (NSA) remains the best meaningful approach to our current challenges – not animal reflectors or drone usage. Avoid unnecessary tenders. The ‘business unusual’ mantra speaks otherwise,” he says.

Kalangula says road upgrades and changing road users’ attitudes remain key to saving more lives.

He says the question of road safety measures in the Roads Authority Delayed Strategic Plan was asked in the parliament in June, but was deferred more than three times in the parliament.

Kalangula urges all road users to exercise caution on the roads and avoid drinking and driving and to always consider others when driving.

“Merry Christmas and a prosperous new year to all our road users and fellow Namibians. Be safe, we need each other going forward.”

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