Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication
The Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication is dedicated to ensuring the availability and quality of transport infrastructure and specialised services, as well as functional and assigned accommodation to the satisfaction of the customer and the government. The ministry intends to commercialise some services on a self-sustaining basis and the core ministry will remain responsible for the regulatory and ownership control aspects only. The purpose of the current restructuring of the ministry is to provide, maintain and administer government infrastructure in respect of accommodation, transport, communication and certain specialized services in a more efficient way.
The ministry comprises three departments, viz., the Department of Works, the Department of
Transport, and the Department of Administration and Centralized Support Services.
The Department of Works is responsible for the provision, management and maintenance of all
government-owned buildings. This department provides management and maintenance service to
government in regard of real estate and related infrastructure on an economical and long-term,
sustainable basis.
The department consists of the Directorate Capital Project Management and the Directorate Maintenance and Fixed Asset Management. The former is responsible for the management of capital works programmes for the government in conjunction with all the line ministries and the latter is responsible for the maintenance of government property through its five regional and fifteen sub-regional offices.
The Department of Transport is responsible for transport in its broadest sense. It is involved in each of the four transport modes, namely, road, rail, air and sea. Overall objective of this department is to ensure the provision of safe, effective and efficient transport services, in balance with demand, in the different modes.
The department’s Directorate Transportation Infrastructure Maintenance and Construction which constructs and maintains the national road network, and government-owned aerodromes and operates a construction equipment pool. The Directorate Planning and Transportation Management plans and designs road, air and water transport infrastructure, controls construction materials and provides infrastructure management information, formulates and co-ordinates policy and strategies regarding national and international transport, and administers road transportation. The Directorate Civil Aviation ensures safe and efficient civil aviation systems and is responsible for all civil aviation regulatory functions. The Directorate Maritime Affairs ensures health and safety of life and property at sea, prevents pollution of the maritime environment and promotes Namibia’s maritime interests.
The objectives of the Department of Administration and Centralised Support Services are the provision of high-grade administrative support to the ministry and centralized support services of high value to other user ministries and government offices. The department is divided into two directorates, viz., Directorate Administration which is responsible for the ministry’s personnel and financial administration and for providing auxiliary services to the ministry; and Directorate Centralised Support Services which provides motor vehicle and air transport, security services, cleaning services, stock, and reproduction services to government.
A number of parastatals whose responsibility and supervision rest on the ministry include Namibia Airports Company, Namibian Ports Authority (Namport), Namibia Post Ltd (Nampost), and Telecom Namibia.
The Namibia Airports Company commercially operates eight main airports of the country. The company provides and maintains aviation related infrastructure and facilities, passenger and cargo services, and fire fighting services, and provides accommodation at the airports to the aviation industry. The objective of the Namibian Ports Authority is the successful operation and further development of the existing harbour infrastructure in Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
Namibia Post Ltd provides postal, courier, savings bank and money transfer services through its eighty-four post offices, ten agencies and twenty-one mobile points spread across the country. Telecom Namibia, with its more than fifty offices, provides electronic voice, data, image and text transmission services throughout the country and to the world at large.
Department of Transport
At the time of independence, Namibia found itself relatively well-supplied with road, aviation and rail infrastructure, but in a regionally imbalanced way. Since then, priorities of the government in the transport sector have been the maintenance of the existing road infrastructure to avoid deterioration, developing the road network in the previously neglected areas, implementing labour-based road construction methods to reduce unemployment, upgrading road links to neighbouring countries and further development of harbour infrastructure.
To determine the present and future transport needs and to develop programmes for the implementation of transport infrastructure projects, a number of master plans and feasibility studies have been undertaken since 1990. Various master plans include Oshikoto, Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati Roads Master Plan, Herero Roads Master Plan, Okavango Roads Master Plan, Caprivi Roads Master Plan, National Transport Development Plan (in progress), Windhoek Airport Master Plan, Eros Aerodrome Master Plan, and Walvis Bay Aerodrome Limited Master Plan.
The various feasibility studies include Trans-Caprivi Highway Feasibility Study, Trans-Caprivi Highway Environment Impact Assessment, Okavango-Ohangwena Road Feasibility Study, Gobabis-Otjinene Road Feasibility Study, Oranjemund link Road Feasibility Study (in progress),
Windhoek East-West Bypass Feasibility Study, Improvements of TR 1/6 between Brakwater and Okahandja Feasibility Study, MR 44 Swakopmund-Cape Cross Feasibility Study, Provision of Climbing Lanes between Windhoek and Aris Feasibility Study, Gobabis-Aranos Link road Feasibility Study, Future Port Facilities in Namibia Pre-feasibility Study, Möwe Bay Fishing Port Feasibility Study, and Northern Railway Extension Feasibility Study.
Construction
of Transport Infrastructure
Good progress has been made with the road construction projects forming part of the Trans-Caprivi Highway which is a vital link along the Walvis Bay-Ndola-Lubumbashi development corridor. Overall objective of the Trans-Caprivi Highway is to provide Namibia with an all-weather transport route eastwards to connect with the road networks of the landlocked countries Botswana, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The route is the SADC Regional Trunk Road (RTR) 30 and has an overall length of 580km. It commences at Rundu, in the northern region of Namibia, and runs eastwards within the Caprivi Strip via Divundu and Kongola to Katima Mulilo where it meets RTR 36. To meet the requirements of this transport corridor, roads need to be fully bitumenised. The 400km section from Rundu to Kongola was completed in 1998. The two remaining sections, TR 8/6 between Kongola and Katima Mulilo (118 km), and TR 8/7 between Katima Mulilo and Ngoma (59 km) are now being rehabilitated and constructed respectively.
Another important route between Walvis Bay harbour and Namibia’s neighbouring countries to the east, especially landlocked Botswana, is the Trans-Kalahari Highway. Construction to asphalt standard was of utmost importance for providing a fast and comfortable road communication link. Trans-Kalahari Highway, which forms part of the Walvis Bay-Botswana-Gauteng-Maputo Development Corridor, was officially opened to traffic in March 1998. With the completion of the stretch through Botswana, its full benefits would begin to be realized. This road through Botswana has reduced the distance by road between Windhoek and the Gauteng province in South Africa by about 500km.
The road section Onuno-Eenhana-Elundu is part of the SADC Regional Trunk Road Network, Route 30, meant to link land-locked countries to the east and north-east of
Namibia through the Caprivi and Okavango regions to southern Angola and further on to the port of Namibia. The road also links Eenhana, regional capital of Ohangwena to the trunk road network. Construction of the first section between Onuno and Elundu (73km) as an asphalt road commenced in April 1998.
In support of the basic goals of government which include the creation of employment opportunities and alleviation of poverty, the Department of Transport launched a labour-based road construction programme in 1991. Since then, labour-based method of constructing and maintaining roads continues to contribute towards alleviation of the unemployment situation especially in rural Namibia. Some 89km of gravel road was constructed by labour-based methods in the Omusati, Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto regions. These include:
14km of road from MR 111 to Onaanda,
13km of road from Oluno to Ukwiyu,
15km of road from Oshakati to Ompunja,
12km of road from Onethindi to Onkumwiimbi,
35km of road from Ombalantu to Okalongo,
27km of road from Tsandi to Onesi (under construction),
14km of road from Okahao to Etilyasa (under construction), and
25km of road from Oshigambo to Ondobe (under construction).
In addition, 21km of asphalt roads were completed by labour-based methods in the Ohangwena region, from Onethindi to Oshigambo.
These projects created a total of about 1500 jobs and about N$15 million (representing about 30% of the construction cost) were paid to employees recruited from within the project areas over a period of about two years. The projects were co-funded by Namibian, Swedish and German governments.
During 1998, Cabinet approved the national policy on labour-based works, a policy which seeks to expand the experience gained in road construction to as many sectors of the economy as possible. The policy will serve as a means of contributing towards the ongoing national efforts of employment creation.
As the load carrying capacity of road pavements is finite, an appreciable amount of the development funds has to go towards the rehabilitation of roads which have reached the end of their useful life. Rehabilitation of the Otjiwarongo-Otavi road (118km) was completed in July 1998. Contract for the rehabilitation of yet another vital trunk road link, from Oshivelo via Ondangwa to Oshakati (191km) was awarded in March 1998 and can be considered as the biggest project of the Department of Transport with an investment of N$125 million.
In total,
1041km asphalt roads and 361km new gravel roads have been
completed since 1990. In addition, contracts for the construction
or rehabilitation of 327km asphalt roads, with an investment of
approximately N$300 million, were awarded in 1998.
Aerodromes
In the field of civil aviation, the runway and the terminal building at Eros Airport were extended to enable medium-sized jet passenger transport to provide fast and efficient regional service from that airport.
Work recently commenced with the rehabilitation of the runways of Hosea Kutako International Airport which is in dire need of repair. Estimated contract value of this project is N$42.9 million.
Control over the port of Walvis Bay (which, continued to be administered by South Africa after 1990) was one of the main government concerns. The port reverted to Namibian control on 27 February 1994 and from 1 March 1994 the newly-created parastatal, the Namibian Ports Authority took over the management of the ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz.
The Walvis Bay harbour on the western coast of the sub-continent is linked by rail and road to the rest of the country and to the land-locked countries to the east and north-east of Namibia. As part of the Walvis Bay-Lubumbashi Transport Corridor, the Trans-Caprivi Highway links the harbour to Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi and further on to the Democratic Republic of Congo, while the Trans-Kalahari Highway links the harbour to Botswana and the Gauteng region in South Africa. The harbour therefore offers a shorter route for exports and imports of land-locked countries to and from Europe and the Americas.
Since its inception in 1994, Namport has invested N$160 million in the upgrading and supply of new port facilities and equipment. Namport upgraded the Port of Walvis Bay with a new container terminal with modern handling and marine equipment. Walvis Bay is now one of the best-equipped ports along Africa’s west coast, with modern infrastructure and a dedicated workforce. In Lüderitz, a new 500m quay is under construction, which will attract additional cargo coming from the mines, the oil industry and the fruit business. These developments should triple Namibia’s cargo volume and make the ports a gateway to the SADC region. Cargo that otherwise would have gone through South African ports can now be accommodated at either of the ports. The last but very important investment still outstanding is the deepening of Walvis Bay from 10m to 12.8m draft. With this done, Walvis Bay would be able to accommodate all vessels that now service the trade routes.
One of the important functions of the Department of Transport is the maintenance of the national road network and government-owned aerodromes. Approximately 35 000km gravel and earth roads and about 5300km asphalt roads are routinely maintained. Budget for the maintenance of transport infrastructure is fully-funded by the government through treasury budgetary allocations to the ministry. During the review period, total budgetary allocation to the Road Maintenance Division amounted to N$1253 million, or on average N$139 million per year since independence.
Development in the air transport sector can best be illustrated by comparing some statistics in this field over the last dacade. At the time Namibia become independent, there were just over two hundred aircraft on the Namibian aircraft register. At present this figure is approaching the four hundred mark. Over the same period, passengers moving through the main international airport increased from just more than 200 000 in 1989 to nearly 500 000 in 1998. Number of foreign air lines now flying to Namibia on a regular basis has also increased from only one foreign carrier serving Namibia in 1990 to ten foreign operators now serving Namibian airports on a regular basis. At the same time, Namibian carriers have increased in number from a mere four at independence to well over thirty operators at present.
In order to meet growth needs of the air transport sector, the government improved the basic infrastructure at the main airports with extensions and resurfacing of runways and taxiways. The air navigation system in the country has also been upgraded to meet the additional demand being placed on it by the increase in air traffic. In order to better deal with the increased demand, the Namibian Airports Company Limited was formed to manage eight major airports in the country on a commercial basis.
Opening of the aviation school at Keetmanshoop in early 2000 also opened the door for many Namibians to actively pursue a career in aviation.
With the restructuring of TransNamib, Air Namibia has become a separate company with new business and operational plans and it is believed that this airline will play a major role in the future development of the transport sector.
The Directorate Maritime Affairs of the Department of Transport has strengthened its establishment and opened a new office at Lüderitz, expanded the one at Walvis Bay and engaged the services of maritime experts. The directorate is in the process of formulating Namibia’s maritime policy and upgrading its legislation to suit the changing maritime environment; and drawing up plans and programmes to ensure safety of vessels and maritime personnel operating from and calling at the Namibian ports; and is engaged in the protection of the marine environment and encouraging regional and international co-operation in the field of maritime affairs through relevant bodies, such as, SADC and the International Maritime Organisation.
The Namibian Ports Authority, trading as Namport, is responsible for the operation of the existing ports of Walvis Bay and Lüderitz. Namport operates in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the Namibian Ports Authority Act, 1994 (Act 2 of 1994), and its performance is monitored according to the provisions of the Act. Namport operates as a successful business entity and is confident about meeting its objectives through its own efforts. A big project that needs to be undertaken is the deepening of the port of Walvis Bay, requiring funding of about N$100 million. Negotiations are in progress to investigate grant funding for this project. During the course of last year, Namport has increased the container throughput in Walvis Bay by 20%, successfully marketed a new fruit export service, and commenced container traffic through Lüderitz.
The ministry has committed itself to facilitating cross-border trade and to promoting economic growth.
Important legislation finalised during the period under review includes the ratification of the SADC Protocol on Transport, Communications and Meteorology and the ratification of the SACU Memorandum of Understanding on cross-border road transportation. Permits in terms of the memorandum were issued as from 2 March 1998. Lengthy procedures for obtaining cross-border road transportation permits for the conveyance of goods and passengers between Namibia and other member countries of the South Africa Customs Union are now replaced by a much faster customer-orientated system.
In the field of civil aviation, two of the main acts were amended during 1998. The Air Services Act of 1949 now more closely reflects the government’s policy on free competition and all the protective measures have been removed from this Act, bringing it in line with world trends in this regard. The Aviation Act of 1962 has been amended to pave the way for total updating of civil aviation regulations which govern civil aviation in Namibia. This follows recommendations made by the International Civil Aviation Organization after they conducted a safety oversight in the country. The revised Air Services Act and the amendment of the Aviation Act have been promulgated.
Maritime legislation is currently under review and will remain an ongoing process for some time as the Directorate of Maritime Affairs is preparing for Namibia to accede to various international maritime conventions. Revision of maritime legislation is is being carried out with the assistance of maritime expert consultants funded mainly by the Norwegian government.
Institutional
and Transport Sector Reform
Ministry of
Works, Transport and Communication (MWTC) 2000 Project
The MWTC 2000 Project is an institutional restructuring programme initiated with co-financing by a grant from the Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA). Overall goal of the original project was to improve the efficiency of the transport sector.
Commercialisation of airport operations was successfully concluded with the establishment of a state-owned airports company. The Namibia Airports Company Limited commercially operates the Hosea Kutako International Airport as well as Eros, Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop, Lüderitz, Ondangwa, Rundu and Katima Mulilo aerodromes.
Bills for the establishment of the Roads Authority and Road Fund Administration were referred to the PSCE. The relevant reports of the PSCE have been accepted by the National Assembly and the bills were submitted to the legal drafters for incorporating the accepted amendments.
A bill for the establishment of a roads contractor company to commercialise the existing departmental road construction and maintenance units, was referred to the PSCE whose report has been accepted in the National Assembly. The establishment of the new structures for the Department of Transport in the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication should be substantially completed this year.
A feasibility study report on the commercialisation of the government garage was completed and submitted to Cabinet.
In 1998, it was decided to expand the MWTC 2000 Project to include additional sub-projects described hereunder and the project is rescheduled for completion in the year 2001:
1. commercialisation of certain functions of the Department of Administration and Centralised Support Services,
2. commercialisation of certain functions of the Department of Works,
3. restructuring of the Civil Aviation Directorate, including the meteorological services,
4. restructuring of the Directorate Maritime Affairs, and
5. reorganisation of the remaining parts of the ministry.
The national transportation master plan study has been completed. Its outputs are extremely valuable in supporting and supplementing the work being done under the MWTC 2000 Project. This applies in particular to road user charges, and the implementation of the road fund administration, roads authority and roads contractor company. The study also recommends certain reforms regarding the national aerodrome network. These recommendations will be valuable in the restructuring of the Civil Aviation Directorate, which will expand into the NDP2 period.
The national transportation master plan study spawned the development of a Namibian Traffic Information System (NaTIS), as part of which a new computerized vehicle registration and licensing system is currently being implemented. Eighteen vehicle registration centres were established at: Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Usakos, Karibib, Omaruru, Tsumeb, Ongwediva, Rundu, Grootfontein, Otavi, Otjinene, Gobabis, Okahandja, Rehoboth, Maltahöhe, Mariental and Aranos. In all these centres, the respective municipalities were contracted for performing vehicle registration tasks with the exception of Otjinene for which the regional authority is responsible. Building the requisite capacity in municipalities proved to be the most time-consuming task.
Nampost
Since its incorporation in August 1992, the parastatal company Nampost has made steady progress on all fronts. In 1992, it was envisaged that the company should break even by 1997. This was achieved three years earlier in 1994.
The postal network grew since incorporation in 1992 from seventy-four post offices, fifteen agencies and three mobile points to eighty-four post offices, ten agencies and twenty-one mobile points in 1998. Delivery standards increased from 85% of all domestic mail delivered by day 3 in 1992 to 98% of all mail delivered by day 3 in 1998. Average queuing times decreased from 8.6 minutes in 1993 to 4.8 minutes in 1998. Since incorporation, Nampost has installed 40 150 new private boxes all over the country.
Telecom Namibia
Telecom Namibia today has a customer base of 113 881 which is more than double the customer base in 1990. It has, over the seven years of its existence, invested almost one billion Namibia dollars in infrastructure development and increased its revenue of N$193 million in 1992 to the projected revenue of N$542 million for 1999. The projected asset base for 1999 of N$800 million reflects a tremendous increase from a mere N$93 million in 1993. By the end of 1999, the GSM mobile calendar communication network will cover 80% to 90% of the Namibian population with nine international roaming agreements concluded with other countries.
Employment in Telecom Namibia has declined from 2350 in 1992 to the current 1725. In 1992, Telecom Namibia had twenty customers per employee which improved to sixty-six customers per employee today.
Since incorporation in 1992, the following main products and services have been introduced:
1. Automated telephone services to twenty-two villages in the Omusati, Ohangwena and Oshana regions at a cost of N$25 million, capable of transmitting voice, telex and data.
2. Twenty-two towns or villages have been either digitised and/or automated.
3. Digitised exchanges have been provided in thirty-three towns or major centres.
4. An aggressive modernisation drive was embarked upon to automate all the multi-party lines in this country.
5. The Windhoek International Earth Station was erected in 1995 housing the transmission equipment for international communications. Three smaller satellite earth stations have also been erected in Lüderitz, Katima Mulilo and Windhoek.
6. A national telecommunications management network centre was completed to enhance network management.
7. Value added services such as toll-free services, ISDN (enabling simultaneous transmission of data, voice, image and video communications), video-conferencing and voicemail services have been introduced.
8. Internet connectivity and World Wide Web browsing through independent service providers has been made possible.
9. Huge investments have been made in Namibia’s digital backbone transmission system.
10. Major new efficiencies in service connections, call processing, billing, directory assistance, service enquiries and internal infrastructure have been brought about to improve customer care services.
Department of Works
Since 1990, this department has successfully implemented policies and programmes towards local participation, capacity building and job creation in the construction industry. This was implemented to empower local small, medium and previously disadvantaged contractors individually and through umbrella bodies committed to the upliftment of the rural people. Over the past nine years, the department succeeded in establishing a wide base of small contractors all over the country. These contractors are now participating on a competitive basis in projects, such as, renovation of buildings, maintenance and service contracts and supply and installation of equipment contracts. The department managed to increase the base from approximately twenty-five during the year of independence to 150 small contractors who are now contracted on a regular basis.
The department was instrumental in the execution and monitoring of more than 800 capital projects over the decade. A big portion of these were rural clinics and classrooms. Small-scale contractors were given the opportunity and were involved in the construction of these many scattered facilities all over rural Namibia. Major capital projects implemented by the department over this period include the following:
Teachers training colleges Katima Mulilo and Rundu
Senior secondary schools and hostels Okalongo and Iipundi
Hospitals Eenhana, Engela, Okahao, Ombalantu and Opuwo
Rehabilitation centres Oluno and Bagani
Research and information centres for fisheries Swakopmund and Lüderitz
Border posts Ariamsvlei, Noordoewer, Buitepos, Oshikango and Ngoma
Police station and magistrate’s court Katutura
Agriculture college Neudamm
Office head quarters for Ministry of Works,
Transport and Communication, and the Ministry
of Mines and Energy Windhoek
Geological Survey Building Windhoek
Surveyor General and Deeds Office Building Windhoek
Supreme Court Windhoek
National Council Assembly Hall Windhoek
National Botanic Research Institute Windhoek
Forensic Psychiatric Unit Windhoek
During this period, the department successfully implemented and completed the construction of a government office park complex, the largest single building construction project undertaken by government in the history of Namibia. This complex of buildings is housing a number of ministries which had previously occupied premises leased from the private sector and is the first project undertaken by the department of a build-operate and -transfer system. This project will bring about a saving to government of N$540 million in saved escalated rental costs over a period of ten years while the complex will be owned by the government for a construction cost of N$235 million which the government will pay off over this same period of time.
The department has also achieved the standardization of drawings for basic facilities in order to save design costs and also to create a uniform corporate image of the Republic of Namibia.
The government’s policy on decentralization of its services has been further consolidated by the strengthening of the Department of Works capacity in fifteen regional and sub-regional offices to a point where they are in a better position to take responsibility and handle the affairs of the department in the respective regions.
In implementing contracts on the development budget under the control of the Department of Works, it has enforced the policy of employing ex-combatants to alleviate unemployment in Namibia.
An appropriate metering system has been introduced and implemented to pursue the “user-pay” principle for utilities where the end-user is responsible and accountable for consumption thereof.
The department has also covered considerable ground in implementing a scheme for the alienation of government housing. An implementation committee has been established to created a suitable housing scheme where government officials will be offered the opportunity to purchase the houses they occupied. This scheme will reach momentum towards the end of 1999.
The vision in respect of transport is to ensure the availability of safe and cost-effective transport infrastructure throughout the country and specialized services in their different modes to balance the demand therefore and the supply thereof in an economically efficient way, and to ensure freedom of participation in the provision of transport services, subject mainly to quality regulation.
Regarding government real estate and related infrastructure, the ministry envisions rendering a provisioning, management and maintenance service on an economical and long-term sustainable basis.
Short- term mission of the Department of Transport is to:
1. implement the policies contained in the White Paper on Transport Policy;
2. restructure the department as provided for in the MWTC 2000 Project;
3. ensure that new institutional structures are effective and responsive to technological and international developments;
4. staff the new institutional structures and the department with fully trained Namibians;
5. implement the road-user charging system by April 2000;
6. establish the road fund administration, roads contractor company and roads authority and to have these fully operational by April 2000;
7. review appropriate aviation user charges;
8. implement the recommendations of the aerodromes master plan;
9. promote accession to relevant maritime conventions;
10. approve the training and examination of seafarers in Namibia;
11. issue and register seafarers and promote the registration of ships and vessels;
12. ensure seaworthiness of ships and vessels;
13. ensure the prevention and combating of marine pollution;
14. revise the National Transportation Corporation Act, 1987;
15. draw up legislation for quality control of rail services; and
16. draw up a Namibian Meteorological Services Bill.
Short-term mission of the Department of Works is to:
1. standardize basic building designs;
2. create a commercial account for fixed asset management;
3. introduce appropriate adjustment of lease rental tariffs and categorize all accommodation;
4. gradually implement commercialisation principles and ideas to strengthen and increase the capacity of the organisation prior to becoming a fully fledged commercial entity;
5. complete the registration of all government assets by the year 2000.
Short- term mission of the Department of Administration and Centralized Support Services is to:
1. engage in intensified efforts to recruit adequately qualified personnel;
2. expand the stores provisioning services to the regions;
3. complete the process of decentralization of cleaning services and the transfer of security services;
4. review the air transport service to meet the needs of user ministries;
5. accelerate the vehicle replacement programme of the government garage.
Long-term mission of the Department of Transport is to:
1. implement a comprehensive culture change plan;
2. develop private sector expertise in the construction and maintenance of roads on a tender/contract basis;
3. draw up and implement a master plan of development for each of the airports/aerodromes of the airports company;
4. draw up and implement an aviation communication and navigation aids master plan;
5. commercialise air navigation services and create an autonomous Civil Aviation Authority;
6. set up an appropriate maritime administration;
7. revise and promulgate new maritime legislation;
8. develop maritime training to provide qualified seafarers;
9. promote the employment of Namibian seafarers to the international shipping industry;
10. install appropriate measures to protect the integrity of the Namibian waters;
11. ensure the implementation of the approved recommendations of the Independent Task Force on TransNamib Ltd; and
12. draw up and implement a master plan for the development of a meteorological services infrastructure in Namibia.
The long- term mission of the Department of Works is to:
1. commercialise most of its functions that can more efficiently be performed in a commercial environment;
2. maximize the involvement of the private sector in the provision of services currently provided by the department; and
3. promote and participate in the establishment of additional maintenance and repair centres in the regions in order to enhance efficient maintenance and avoid unnecessary expenses.
Long-term mission of the Department of Administration and Centralized Support Services is to:
1. train through special training courses, workshops and seminars all personnel of the ministry to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of staff and to foster professionalism;
2. computerize the administrative functions of the ministry to ensure efficient performance and sound financial control;
3. transform the stores financial system to that of a trade account;
4. introduce the provisioning of non-standard stock items according to customer needs; and
5. improve the efficiency and productivity of the government garage, including the commercialisation of certain functions which can be performed more efficiently in a commercial environment.
The ministry recognises that in the modern day world, planning for the future, especially with regard to transport and communication, must, inter alia, take account the fact that:
1. Namibians are living in a global village. It implies that the country is not isolated from the rest of the world and it must keep abreast of developments and comply with the same standards as elsewhere.
2. Increasingly rapid technological advances can completely change the way things have traditionally been done (e.g., satellites and computers can be used to monitor aircraft movements and therefore the work of air traffic controllers may in future be completely changed).
3. Human resource utilisation will be greatly influenced by the information revolution and international mobility of skilled professionals.
4. Efficiency in all things will become paramount since it will be increasingly difficult to hide behind protective screens shielding domestic industries, and even individuals in high level positions, against competition from abroad.
The ministry recognizes the challenge of keeping up with this ever changing world environment.