Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibia Bus and Taxi Association (Nabta) has distanced itself from the planned demonstration organised by the Namibia Transport and Taxi Union (NTTU) for Tuesday.
In a statement issued by Nabta on Tuesday, president Jeffrey Platt said the association is not aware of the strike.
“Public members are advised not to panic. All taxi drivers and public transport operators are urged to continue their daily operations,” said Platt.
He said they are consulting fuel retailers and service station owners, and have engaged the Ministry of Mines and Energy, requesting the government to consider reducing or cancelling some fuel levies.
Platt believes some charges linked to fuel levies, if cancelled, could lead to a reduction in fuel prices.
The consultations started last week and continue this week.
Nabta has also submitted a proposal for a taxi fare increase from N$13 to N$15.
Meanwhile, NTTU president Werner Januarie said the demonstration would go ahead once the police approves it.
The approval is pending because of a fee that demonstrators need to pay for police presence and escorts, which the union says it was not aware of.
“We are still adamant that we are continuing with our demonstration. Even if they want to stop our demonstration due to these funds, they must bring us documentary proof to show that we need to pay,” said January.
Apart from the scrapping of levies and taxes, NTTU wants the taxi fare increased to N$18.
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