Namibia's Minister of Works and Transport and his Botswana counterpart are happy with the progress made so far with the implementation of the Trans-Kalahari Railway Line Project.

The two ministers briefed the media on the development at Swakopmund during a Joint Ministerial Committee meeting.

The bilateral Trans-Kalahari Railway Line is expected to link the Port of Walvis Bay via Gobabis to Botswana and the SADC to enhance trade in the region.

The Minister of Works and Transport had an extensive briefing on Wednesday with his senior staff and CEOs of parastatals that fall under his ministry.

After welcoming the staff for the new year, John Mutorwa had to answer a number of questions posed by the media. 

These include, among others, a N$2.6 billion loan to TransNamib for the upgrading of the railway network, the state of the country's airports, and the registration of new engineers.

The Minister of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, has raised concern over the pressure that road traffic accidents put on the health care system.

Dr. Shangula was contributing to the motion tabled by Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, about extra charges for overloading.

The country, Dr. Shangula says, faces a public health crisis from deaths and injuries caused by motor vehicle accidents.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, tabled the motion in the National Assembly to minimise road damage and proposed that overloading offences be legalised as administrative ones.

The current legislative framework for road traffic and transport offences is the Road Traffic and Transport Act 1999 and the Criminal Procedure Act 1977, Act No. 51 of 1977.

Mutorwa raised his concerns, stating that the legislative regulatory framework for the Road Traffic and Transport Act is not fully complied with and acted in accordance with, making it inefficient.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.

The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.

The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.

The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.

The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.

The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.

The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.

A delegation from Uganda that was in the country this week for benchmarking says all their expectations were met in learning from Namibia's road infrastructure.

Speaking during the feedback meeting, Ugandan Minister of Works and Transport Ecweru Francis said they came to Namibia to learn because Namibia occupies a very impressive position on road networks, both at the continental and global levels.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, fears Fly Namibia might close its route from Eros Airport to Rundu.

This comes after his recent experience on a trip to Rundu as the only passenger on the plane.

John Mutorwa says the number of passengers flying from Eros Airport to Rundu has been minimal, and this can be controlled.

The Roads Authority (RA) has inaugurated its first-ever NaTIS Mobile Vehicle Testing Station at Rehoboth.

The N$6 million mobile testing facility will visit all the regions.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, says the testing vehicle will reach remote areas where such services are nonexistent and eliminate the long distances that people have to travel for services.

The facility offers services such as testing vehicles for roadworthiness.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, says public policy documents are not confidential and should be made available to the public.

Mutorwa was speaking at Nkurenkuru when he handed over the ministry's maintenance functions to the Kavango West Regional Council.

Mutorwa stressed that public policy documents should be shared with the people so that everyone understands the functions of the council.