Xupifa Eemwenyo campaign starts
(From left to right) Joseph Shikongo. Deputy Commissioner of the Namibian Police force, Peter Mwatile, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, The WHO Representative to Namibia, Dr Magda Robalo with Motor Vehicle Accident Fund’s CEO, Jerry Muadinohamba at the launch of the Fund’s road safety campaign for 2012/2013. (Photograph by Lorato Khobetsi)
“Last year, Namibia lost a total of 492 people as a result of road crashes. So far this year, the total road deaths stand at 486, six less than the previous year. One thing we must remember is that road crashes know no boundaries, they affect everyone, irrespective of colour, creed or race. This means that we are all at risk, and therefore each one of us should stand up and actively play our role to ensure that our roads are a safer place to drive,” said, Stephen Tjiuoro, Chief of Corporate Affairs at MVA Fund.
According to Stephen Tjiuoro, Chief of Corporate Affairs at the Fund, the campaign was initiated in 2005 with the aim to reduce road crashes.
“Our objectives have not changed, in fact our aim is to accelerate our efforts in order to save our nation from needless death, pain and suffering caused by the relentless road crashes. This is why the Xupifa Eemwenyo campaign is such a timely and crucial intervention as it allows us through co-ordinated, collaborative efforts, to create awareness of the real danger that exist on our roads and put in place measures to counter the occurrence of road crashes,” he said.
He added that this year’s campaign will focus on three key areas, namely supporting law enforcement agencies in order to increase police visibility on the roads, create public awareness of the risks associated with reckless driving and enhancing emergency medical response services.
