Hertta-Maria Amutenja
The Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Lucia Witbooi, has inaugurated state-of-the-art staff accommodation at Dobe Border Post and called on stakeholders to join efforts to make services effective and enhance the general well-being of the Dobe Border Post community.
While speaking at the inauguration, Witbooi stressed the strategic importance of Dobe Border Post, located approximately 52 kilometres from Tsumkwe.
The deputy minister along with other delegates celebrated the completion of a long-awaited project that faced challenges but was ultimately completed by the Namibian Police Force Building Team.
The construction, which commenced in June 2015, initially targeted completion by 28 January 2017. However, due to challenges during the process, the project was handed over to the Namibian Police Force Building Team in July 2021, ultimately being completed last November.
“While appreciating the current milestone in the construction of our officials’ residential accommodation, we should also be mindful and continue to engage some of our crucial stakeholders,” stated Witbooi.
She highlighted the absence of vital services such as Telecommunications networks and Health facilities in the area, posing potential challenges in emergencies.
“The border is mostly used daily by locals who move between Namibia and Botswana as well as international travellers and tourists. The statistics for the last three months for Dobe Border Post were 1493 for both arrival and departure.
Movements between the two countries are taking place, bringing us to improve our facility. Systems, however, are being put in place to ensure that the community will cross this border with their Identity Documents,” said Witbooi.
Open seven days a week, the border serves as a crucial entry point for daily travellers, international visitors, and tourists moving between Namibia and Botswana.
In addition to acknowledging the need for collaboration, Witbooi urged stakeholders to join efforts, stating that. “It is important that all relevant stakeholders be on board to make services effective and the general well-being of the community here more livable.”
Moreover, she lauded the newly inaugurated staff accommodation, comprising 18 housing units which are two three-bedroom and sixteen two-bedroom units. She expressed the Ministry’s commitment to providing a conducive working environment for staff, regardless of their deployment in urban or remote areas.
Witbooi also highlighted the Ministry’s investment in border infrastructure, including the Electronic Border Management System (eBMS), staff placement, and capacity building to enhance proper border management control.
Furthermore, Witbooi called on CENORED to provide electricity to the Dobe area, emphasising the necessity for essential services.
“The electricity is also needed for the Ministry Officials situated at the border to facilitate the use of the electronic Identity Documents when crossing the border,” she noted.
