Governor strives to create13 mini police stations…finds use for govt caravans idling

OSHAKATI – Oshana Governor Hofni Iipinge yesterday, handed over 13 second-hand caravans to the Oshana Police for deployment in constituencies without police stations.

The caravans will serve as temporary sub-police stations, improving access to policing services for residents, particularly those in remote areas.

Previously unused at Oshakati Intermediate Hospital, the caravans were handed over through a collaboration between the Ministry of Health and Social Services and the Oshana Governor’s Office.

Iipinge said the initiative aims to promote infrastructure development in the region, improve working conditions for police officers and strengthen public service delivery.

He said the handover follows a visit he made to the hospital in June this year, during which he came across caravans that were no longer in use.

Recognising the need for additional infrastructure at other government institutions, Iipinge said he considered it necessary to redirect the unused assets to the Oshana Police, where they could serve a greater purpose.

He said the caravans would benefit community members, especially those in remote areas, as they would no longer have to travel long distances to access police services.

“Our people will now be able to report crimes on time. This is very important because it helps the police to fight crime easily and enables early investigations,” he said.

In addition, Iipinge said the deployment of the caravans would benefit young people, as they would be able to use the police facilities to have documents certified.

“The caravans will be used as office space for police officers, enabling them to carry out their duties of maintaining law and order, protecting lives and safeguarding property,” he said.

He added that the provision of the caravans would help improve the working environment for police officers and enhance their ability to deliver services to communities.

The governor further emphasised that the initiative was a government-to-government collaboration aimed at ensuring that public assets are put to productive use rather than being left idle.

He stressed that government assets should not remain unused when they could be redirected to institutions where they are urgently needed to improve service delivery.

“It’s not good when there are government assets that are not being used. I will continue to check around for government assets that are not being used in my region so that I can give them to other government institutions,” he said.

In his acceptance speech, Head of Administration Division at the Oshana Police, Deputy Commissioner Nico Steenkamp, expressed appreciation to Iipinge and the Ministry of Health and Social Services for their collaboration in handing over the caravans to the Namibian Police.

“The aim is service delivery as a team. These caravans will benefit many people, especially those in remote areas,” he said.

Steenkamp added that some police officers in the region were working under difficult conditions, with some forced to operate from tents that became unsuitable during rainy and windy weather.

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