Nabta wants stake in terminal for long-haul buses

THE Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) says it is not opposed to the City of Windhoek’s plan to relocate the Hereford bus terminal in Katutura to a service station a few metres away.

However, the association says it wants a certain percentage of the proceeds from the new station to be paid to it to help cover administration costs. Nabta Acting National Secretary, Sacky Malima, told The Namibian on Thursday that because the new loading zone would be located at somebody’s business premises, Nabta would like to have its own bus terminal in the future.Malima acknowledged that the terminal at Hereford was in a bad state.”There is no hygiene there.Nabta will not oppose any development that will benefit everyone,” said Malima.But, he said, the Northbound Long Distance Committee (NLDC), which represents operators from Hereford, was not ready for the relocation.Earlier last week, NLDC Secretary Matheus Kalla called on Association members to boycott a meeting called by the City of Windhoek, alleging that it was not organised in the interest of bus owners.The Hereford terminal belongs to the municipality and bus owners using the zone are charged a fee.However, the NLDC has alleged that the fees were going into the pockets of a few City officials, a charge which has, in turn, been denied.Nabta Acting National Secretary, Sacky Malima, told The Namibian on Thursday that because the new loading zone would be located at somebody’s business premises, Nabta would like to have its own bus terminal in the future.Malima acknowledged that the terminal at Hereford was in a bad state.”There is no hygiene there.Nabta will not oppose any development that will benefit everyone,” said Malima.But, he said, the Northbound Long Distance Committee (NLDC), which represents operators from Hereford, was not ready for the relocation.Earlier last week, NLDC Secretary Matheus Kalla called on Association members to boycott a meeting called by the City of Windhoek, alleging that it was not organised in the interest of bus owners.The Hereford terminal belongs to the municipality and bus owners using the zone are charged a fee.However, the NLDC has alleged that the fees were going into the pockets of a few City officials, a charge which has, in turn, been denied.