Africa-Press – Namibia. THE introduction of the new parking payment system in Windhoek’s central business district has been met with mixed reactions, reflecting the diverse opinions within the community, with motorists to fork out an average of nearly a N$1000.00 on parking per month.
While some have expressed concerns about the overpriced parking fees for ordinary on-street parking lots, which have seen no significant improvements to the said parking lots since the country’s independence, others have raised worries about the parking management tender awarded to Keyplot Investment CC and ChargeTech Namibia. A few residents, however, hold positive views, considering it a step towards modernizing and streamlining the parking process in the bustling city centre.
The new system’s operation is divided into three classes. Class A is located along Independence Avenue, Class B covers John Meinert and the Ministry of Finance area, and Class C serves the City of Windhoek Parking. For Class A, the charges are N$ 8.00 per hour or N$ 5.00 for 0-30 minutes. Class B charges N$ 5.00 per hour or N$ 2.50 for 0-30 minutes. As for Class C, the rate is N$ 3.00 for 0-60 minutes.
In an interview conducted by Informante with randomly chosen motorists and ordinary residents who chose to remain anonymous, the residents expressed their concerns about the approach taken by CoW to hire a third party to manage on-street parking. They believe that this decision could possibly be the reason behind the overpriced parking fees, as the third party needs to make a profit.
One of the motorists said that despite their cars being parked in the sun the whole day on a parking with no shade, especially those who work in the CBD, they pay N$42.00 per day for 8 hours, which amounts to N$336.00 per week and shelling out N$840.00 monthly per parking.
“We are still facing inflated fuel prices and other commodities like food. How can people expect you to survive in these circumstances?” said the motorist.
According to City of Windhoek (CoW), the main goal of the new parking system is to effectively manage metered on-street parking throughout the city, aimed to achieve a desirable turnover of parking spaces and occupancy rates, thereby generating revenue while minimizing any potential losses.
With job creation at the centre of the debate in the country, the managing companies have indeed created employment opportunities. However, the car guards who have been diligently assisting motorists at these parking lots to earn a living have expressed their dissatisfaction at not being considered for these jobs.
“We wanted to apply, but they are demanding qualifications we don’t have. Also, their offer is very small compared to the ‘tip’ we use to get when we watch over the people’s cars. Now we are pushed back in the streets again,” said a car guard.
On the other hand, while some motorists view the initiative as an elevation for the city to follow suit with European cities and generate revenue from parking to maintain the city’s road infrastructure, the majority argued that such a service could be relatively affordable if rendered by the local authorities.
Keyplot Investments (Pty) Ltd is 100% owned by United Africa Group (UAG), which is co-owned by former Swapo Party parliamentarian Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun.
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