Staff Reporter
FOLLOWING the recent meeting of the Joint Permanent Commission on Defence and Security held in Livingstone, Republic of Zambia, a decision has been made to commence 24-hour operations at Katima Mulilo Border Post.
This resolution was put into effect on 22 August 2034, when the two Namibian Ministers, Dr. Albert Kawana – Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security – and Zambia’s Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security, Jack Jackob Mwiimbu, officially launched the 24-hour operation at Katima Mulilo Border Post.
Kawana highlighted that this move will yield significant economic benefits for both countries. The business community will now be able to conduct transactions between the two nations on a round-the-clock basis. The Namibian Minister of Home Affairs engaged the Katima Mulilo community in discussions regarding matters of safety, crime, and border issues. During the event, the Minister made a donation of N$10,000 and 20 bags of 50kg maize meal to the Women and Men Network members dedicated to fighting against crime.
Kawana further shared that as a gesture of good neighbourliness, as well as good brotherhood and sisterhood, Namibia took a unique decision to grant dry port facilities to all her land locked neighbouring countries.” Namibia and Zambia are directly involved in the Walvis Bay- Ndola – Lumbumbashi Corridor. In the same vein, the Port of Walvis Bay presents an opportunity for the Republic of Zambia and the Republic of Congo (DRC) to have an alternative route of sea transportation, thereby cutting down on the turnaround time for both their imports and exports,” Kawana said.
He further added that the strategic location of Katima Mulilo Border Posts allows the two countries to promote trade relations.
At the same time, the minister said that costs to the business community will be reduced because of sharing facilities. “Therefore, the private sector is encouraged to invest in the latest logistics technology along this Corridor. Our two countries have played their part, it is time for the private sector to also play its part,” Kawana encouraged.
Present at the event were the Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, the Zambezi Police Regional Commander, and the Chief of Immigration. The engagement commenced with a street procession, led by the Namibian Police Force Band.
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