Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua has called upon the local authorities to fast-track the delivery of land and housing for the men and women in uniform.

Uerikua made this call during the State of the Region Address at Otjiwarongo.

Lack of housing is the greatest challenge faced by men and women in uniform, as only a few have managed to acquire houses through various means.

The concept of creating a village for men and women in uniform is still alive, and I would like to urge municipalities to explore this opportunity to be able to make housing shortages a thing of the past for the men and women in uniform, said Uerikua.

In the Otjozondjupa Region, police officers are challenged with transportation because 15 vehicles have been decommissioned.

"With 50%-60% of the fleet still grounded, and this is grounded due to accidents and mechanical problems, If we have to be specific, Mangetti Dune, Okakarara, Rooi-dag, Osire, Hochfeld, Kalkfeld, and Kombat police stations, plus the Otjiwarongo crime investigation unit, are without vehicles."

Transport for those stations is being sourced from nearby stations, resulting in police not being able to attend to crime scenes on time.

The governor says there is also a need for a police pathology unit in the region.

He says these matters should receive due attention, calling upon all stakeholders to try and meet the police halfway for them to execute their duties optimally.