The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, in response to concerns raised by residents of Impalila Island, noted that the Ministry is aware of the poor nbc reception on the island and other areas across the country.

Theofelus undertook a visit to Impalila Island to assess the situation at the nbc envisaged tower site and listen to the residents on the ground about what they were going through.

The Headwoman of Impalila Island, Kasimbi Matengu, raised concerns and hardships the people of Impalila face given the isolation of the island.

"There are challenges we encounter passing through Botswana, though we use our ID's. We have the challenge that after buying our groceries and other items from Ngweze, when we arrive at the border, we still need to clear our items, while other food staff are not allowed to cross the Botswana border, such as potatoes, bananas, juice, watermelon, and meat."

The ICT Minister stressed that the situation has prompted them to get the necessary funding from the Treasury to ensure infrastructure improvement throughout the country.

She noted that the government managed to secure and allocate funds of more than N$80 million to the nbc for infrastructure development throughout the country, including Impalila Island.

"Therefore, we have then tasked the nbc since now that we have given them over N$90 million to actively expand their infrastructural development across the country to include Impalila Island to start the work on the island for the island to have connectivity in terms of transmission of broadcasting services for both TV and radio."

She said as soon as the budget is motivated and approved by Parliament, the national broadcaster will be directed to immediately start with the improvement.

Regarding the MTC network, Theofelus noted that with the growing and developmental friendship between Namibia and Botswana, authorities are looking at ways to ensure that connectivity between Namibia and Botswana is brought to the same level. 

One of the noted developments is the agreement between the two countries to use IDs for cross-border.

"I am very happy with that development, and I am able to experience it for the first time. I hope that our sister countries in SADC can adapt the same. I am talking specifically about Zambia, Angola, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. I think it will be such a great way to allow a simple trade to happen between our two countries."

There is also a need to collaborate with Zambia on roaming charges.

The Minister also visited Impalila Combined School and the Impalila Health Centre.

Theofelus promised to share the concerns raised with the concerned ministries.