Africa-Press – Namibia. TRANSNAMIB will host the railway safety campaign in the Erongo region this week to educate motorists, truck drivers and communities living near the railway tracks, as well as the communities in which the company operates country-wide.
The campaign is celebrated under the theme ‘Be vigilant around the tracks, trains are fast but slow to stop’.
The week-long safety campaign commemorates the Southern African Railway Association (Sara), formed in 1996 to promote the business interests of the regional railway within the Southern African Development Community.
In 2019, Sara resolved to set aside a week every October to raise awareness on railway safety, and ensure joint regional advocacy for railway safety practices, as well as conformity to agreed SADC/Sara railway safety standards.
TransNamib spokesperson Abigail Raubenheimer said the safety campaign supports the business’ strategic pillars and “organisational excellence”, which deals with internal processes linked to best practices in the industry and business landscape.
“The awareness campaign complements the focus on safety and environmental care. People injured or killed on our railway tracks are often breadwinners in their families and important contributors to the economy at large,” said Raubenheimer.
The main event will be staged at Walvis Bay at the Weigh Bridge on Tuesday, 11 October 2022.
“The area is strategically selected because trucks continue to drive into the Usakos TransNamib Station from Arandis,” she said.
The aim is to sensitise drivers about the downhill slope and the use of the arrestor bed, she said.
“Our business partners such as the Walvis Bay Corridor Group, Municipality, NamPort, and Roads Authority will form part of the event.
“During the 2021/22 financial year, we recorded 11 level crossing accidents, eight public members injured, and 10 damaged infrastructure incidents. Fortunately, there were no fatalities,” she said.
Corporate executive Mberipura Hifitikeko said rail safety education is directly linked to TransNamib’s corporate social responsibility.
“As the railway operator, we are responsible to educate and alert the public to keep safe around the railway network of 2 687 km route, and level crossings,” he said.
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