Erasmus Shalihaxwe
The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has generated N$19 million in less than a month through electronic visas on arrival from foreign travellers who entered Namibia last month.
The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, shared the figures on Monday during a ceremony at the ministry’s head office to bid farewell to outgoing minister Albert Kawana and welcome the new minister, Lucia Iipumbu.
He said 12 562 travellers applied for and were granted visas on arrival, paying administrative fees that amounted to N$19 million.
Maritz said the system behind the electronic visas and visas on arrival was designed by ministry staff without any external costs.
“The expenditure from our side, which I am proud to announce…is that the system has been developed in-house by our staff members. Therefore, there has been no expenditure from our side,” said Maritz.
Former minister Kawana said the system had faced criticism when it was first introduced, but its performance now speaks for itself.
“Some were doubting whether our plan was going to work. Those figures you heard were generated in less than a month. So we are heading to over a billion at the end of the year,” said Kawana.
He urged the incoming minister to complete several pending ministry projects, including the police village in Windhoek, which aims to provide accommodation for police officers.
“There are about nine most important projects that you need to know that are pending, and I am appealing to you to make sure that these projects are realised. First and foremost is the police village here in Windhoek, which was very close to our late president, his excellency Dr Hage Geingob. We secured the land and put some services there, and during the Africa-China summit in Beijing, His Excellency Former President Dr Nangolo Mbumba was able to secure financing from the Chinese government,” said Kawana.
Iipumbu said she would prioritise the police housing project to ensure officers receive dignified living conditions.
“I might have little knowledge about his ministry. I might not be well-versed about its operations, but I have a background knowledge from various engagements I have been involved in with senior officials from this ministry,” said Iipumbu.
