Otjozondjupa prays for accident-free B1

Otjozondjupa prays for accident-free B1 The Otjozondjupa regional governor, regional and local authority councillors and pastors on Monday held a prayer day in Otjiwarongo for an accident-free B1 road during the upcoming festive season.

The prayer session was organised by the governor, Otto Ipinge.

Several pastors prayed that road users on the B1 road passing through the region arrive safely at their destinations.

The stretches of road between Okahandja and Otjiwarongo as well as Otjiwarongo and Otavi record high volumes of vehicles during December holidays.

Ipinge said they do not want to lose any lives during this festive season due to road accidents.

“That is the main reason why we are gathered here to humble ourselves before God and ask for his divine intervention,” he said.

Ipinge urged members of the Namibian police and traffic officers to take their operations seriously and to conduct random alcohol tests on vehicle drivers.

He said any driver found to be operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol must be arrested immediately and released only after the festive season.

In a speech delivered on his behalf, Otjozondjupa regional police commander, Commissioner Armas Shivute said the region rates amongst the top three with the highest fatalities and injuries in the country as a result of motor vehicle accidents.

He said a total of 125 people were injured and six others died on the B1 during the period 15 November 2014 to 15 January 2015.

During the period 15 November 2015 to 15 January 2016, about 70 people were injured on the same road and 17 lives were lost.

Shivute said several permanent police roadblocks are already mounted on public roads, while traffic officers were dispatched on highway patrols to detect speeding vehicles.

In November 2015, a similar mass prayer day was held at Otjiwarongo to pray for an accident-free B1 road.

NAMPA