Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Rosalia Martins-Hausiku has said embracing road safety as a core value enables the fund to save precious lives.
Martins-Hausiku made the remarks during the fourth Women in Road Safety conference which commenced at Oshakati on Thursday, under the theme: ‘Women empowering communities for safer roads.’
According to Martins-Hausiku, empowering communities for safer roads requires collective effort which calls for proactive engagement, education, and the promotion of responsible behaviour on Namibia’s roads.
She said it further involves creating awareness and advocating for changes in road infrastructure, vehicle safety standards, and legislation.
‘Our dedication to road safety helps in the prevention of injuries, and it is essential to recognise that injuries sustained in road accidents can have long-lasting physical, emotional, and financial consequences for individuals and families,’ Martins-Hausiku said.
She went on to indicate that by pri
oritising safety, the number of individuals who suffer debilitating injuries will be reduced while ensuring that communities remain vibrant and resilient.
Speaking at the same occasion was Oshana governor Elia Irimari, who said road safety is a fundamental condition for people to access work, education, health, and social services, including one’s social network of family, friends, and forms of entertainment.
Irimari noted that road safety is linked to women’s economic and social empowerment, poverty eradication, and safety from gender-based violence.
‘It helps determine the extent of their freedom of choice and movement from one place to the other,’ he said.
He added that the government recognises the need for safe and reliable transport infrastructure and services through the national development agenda, Vision 2030 and Harambee Prosperity Plan II, specifically Pillar Three on social progression and Pillar Four on transport infrastructure with inclusivity.
The conference ends on Friday.
Source: The Na
mibian Press Agency