Chairperson of the Trans Kalahari Corridor Secretariat (TKCS), Cedric Limbo has urged towns along the corridor to mobilise resources and avail land to ensure that inland hubs and tract stops are realised along the corridor.

Limbo was speaking during a welcoming event held at Gobabis in the Omaheke region for 30 cyclists from the three TKC member states who have embarked on a cycling challenge from SA’s Rustenburg via Lobatse in Botswana to Walvis Bay, Namibia.

The cycle challenge covering a distance of 1800 kilometres is part of a series of activities planned in commemoration of the TKC agreement between the three countries signed on 03 November 2003.

The ministers of transport from the three member states, Namibia’s John Mutorwa, Eric Molale from Botswana and SA’s Sindisiwe Chikunga have since signed a recommitment pledge to simplify and harmonise the requirements and controls that govern the movement of goods and persons to reduce transport costs and transit times.

‘Local authorities should look at and
collaborate with the private sector to bring much-needed development. Having this cycling event makes such a value proposition easier and we expect the local authorities to grab it with both hands,’ Limbo said.

The cycling challenge, hosted under the theme ‘Transforming the TKC into an Economic Corridor’ is aimed at promoting the corridor and economically developing it to benefit communities that live along the corridor.

‘Corridors can enhance national development and add to the national value chains. However, all such initiatives would fall flat if we do not have economic development along the corridors. Regional and Local Governments, should take up their position and grab the opportunities that the TKC is availing to them. Our people living along the TKC should be able to make a living out of the spin-offs from the TKC,’ Limbo added.

The pledge furthermore stated that the three-member states will continue to promote safety and security on the TKC with the view to ensure the safety of users through regul
ar joint law enforcement operations and border controls.

It additionally reads that the countries will ensure that the road and infrastructure on the TKC is kept in a condition that responds to the needs of the corridor users while promoting spatial development initiatives on the corridor to enhance the livelihoods of persons living along the corridor.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency