Renthia Kaimbi
Minister of works and transport, Veikko Nekundi, officially launched the NaTIS on Wheels truck in Omatjete on Monday.
The event marked a step in the government’s commitment to bringing essential services closer to all citizens, eliminating the burden of long-distance travel for administrative needs.
The N$4.2 million mobile registering authority is a state-of-the-art facility equipped to handle a comprehensive suite of services directly within the community.
Residents of Omatjete and the surrounding areas can now access vision testing, biometric capturing, computerised Learner Licence Testing (CLLT), and vehicle licence issuances from the truck itself.
Nekundi highlighted the cost-effectiveness of the mobile unit, noting that its total cost is significantly less than constructing and equipping a conventional Registering Authority.
“This is exactly the kind of innovative, cost-effective thinking we need. We are delivering a full-service facility at a fraction of the cost to communities that would otherwise wait years, or perhaps indefinitely, for a permanent NaTIS centre. This is not a compromise. This is smart governance,” Nekundi said.
The launch in Omatjete builds on momentum from a previous initiative, the Mobile Testing Station launched in 2024.
When the two units operate together, they form the functional equivalent of a complete, fully operational Registering Authority on wheels.
Nekundi also announced plans to procure additional mobile trucks to service more towns, villages, and settlements simultaneously across the country.
These units, he added, will also be deployed to augment capacity at busy, high-traffic centres to help reduce waiting times.
Following the launch, the truck immediately commenced service delivery in Omatjete and is scheduled to continue its tour to other key areas including Okombahe, Fransfontein, and Kamanjab.
The chairperson of the Erongo Regional Council and Karibib constituency councillor, Lazarus Kanelombe, praised the initiative as tangible evidence of the government’s dedication to inclusive development.
“The arrival of the NaTIS on Wheels truck confirms that rural communities remain an integral part of Namibia’s development agenda and that every effort is being made to ensure that no citizen is left behind,” said Kanelombe.
Earlier, Daures constituency councillor Inecia Brandt noted that for years, residents had endured the burden of traveling long distances to access NaTIS services, a challenge that often required financial resources and time away from work and family.
The mobile truck, she said, responds directly to these hardships by reducing travel costs, saving valuable time, and ensuring that essential services are delivered more conveniently and efficiently.
Beyond administrative convenience, Brandt described the initiative as a statement about inclusion and the principle that every citizen deserves equal access to government services.
She also highlighted the road safety benefits, explaining that bringing licensing and registration services closer to communities would encourage more residents to comply with regulatory requirements, ultimately contributing to safer roads.
The event was attended by a host of dignitaries including Erongo Governor Nathalia /Goagoses, representatives from the Zeraeua Traditional Authority, chief executive officers of the Roads Authority and Road Fund Administration, and community members.
