Patience Makwele
Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge has called on government institutions to share available resources instead of leaving public assets unused, following the handover of 13 second-hand caravans to the Namibian Police Force (NamPol) in the region on Tuesday.
The caravans, which previously belonged to the ministry of health and social services and were kept at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, were handed over to the police to provide additional office space for officers working under difficult conditions.
Iipinge said police officers continued to serve communities despite challenging working conditions and limited resources, making it the government’s responsibility to support them with what was available.
“It is our collective responsibility as government to support them with whatever resources are available to us,” he said.
He thanked the health ministry for responding positively to the request and supporting the initiative, saying the transfer was intended to strengthen police operations.
“I trust that these caravans will be put to good use to enhance the operational capacity and bring police services closer to our communities,” Iipinge said.
The handover followed Iipinge’s visit to Oshakati Intermediate Hospital in June, when he came across the caravans that were no longer in use and proposed that they be redirected to the police.
During that visit, healthcare workers reportedly raised concerns about overcrowding, medicine shortages, ageing infrastructure and staff accommodation.
Iipinge said the transfer should encourage other government offices and agencies to consider how resources could be shared between institutions rather than requesting additional assets when existing ones could be put to use elsewhere.
“Before we request additional resources, let us pause and think about what we already have and how we can share and utilise those resources effectively for the benefit of our people,” he said.
He added that the initiative should serve as an example to other government institutions, highlighting the importance of collaboration, accountability and the efficient use of public resources in improving service delivery.
The governor also referred to wind damage at Eheke Police Station, raising concern about the conditions under which officers were expected to work.
He urged institutions to make better use of available facilities while communities continued to face housing shortages and youth unemployment.
The transfer comes against the background of previous concerns about the condition of government-owned caravans in Oshakati.
A National Assembly Standing Committee on Public Accounts report, following an oversight visit to government assets in the northern regions in August 2023, found that several government houses, including caravans or mobile houses in Oshakati, were in a poor state.
The committee reported that some had reached the end of their lifespan and were no longer fit for human habitation, recommending that they be demolished.
For the police, the transfer is expected to provide additional working space in a region where some officers have been operating from tents.
Deputy Commissioner Nico Steenkamp, Head of Administration Division at Oshana Police, said some officers had been working from tents that became unsuitable during rainy and windy weather.
“The caravans will provide additional working space for our officers, enabling them to carry out their duties of maintaining law and order, protecting lives and safeguarding property,” Steenkamp said.
Adding that the additional office space is expected to support officers in carrying out their duties, including maintaining law and order, protecting lives and safeguarding property.
As he concluded his address, Iipinge encouraged police officers to remain committed to serving communities.
“I encourage members to continue serving our communities with dedication, professionalism and integrity. The safety and security of our people remain essential to the social and economic development of our region,” he said.
