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12 November 2009

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WINDHOEK â€" Security arrangements at the country's two main airports are of serious concern, says Minister of Safety and Security Dr Nickey Iyambo after a familiarisation tour yesterday.

With two major international soccer tournaments just next to Namibia's borders, at Eros Airport, personnel's luggage is not X-rayed at all, while drugs and other items could easily be slipped out unnoticed from Hosea Kutako International Airport the minister realised during the tour.

"We want to see how things are done here but additionally we want to see the general operation at our airports," Iyambo told the acting Chief Executive Officer at Namibia Airports Company, Advocate Matti Asino, when he arrived there.

"The airport is the first entry window and a gateway into a country," the minister said.

Goods that are imported into the country are of great concern, as these items usually only carry Air bill labels from the countries of origin. Custom officials in Namibia only check the label and no scanning is done.
Iyambo said thousands of tonnes of cargo are being brought into the country and it is beyond comprehension that it is not being scanned. Recently, a huge consignment of smuggled cocaine was found at Hosea Kutako International Airport with a street value of N$4 million, which was among cargo from Brazil.

At the Air Namibia lost and found luggage room, unclaimed suitcases were piling up, sending a signal that smugglers know how to out-manoeuvre officials.

What happens is that anybody with the intention of smuggling can "forget" his luggage on the conveyer belt. The item will be picked up and taken to the lost and found room for safekeeping. Minutes or a day later the person can then contact the office registering the item as lost.

His address is taken down and the parcel delivered wherever he stays. This is done in most of the cases and one does not need to go through the proper procedures of scanning as it happens most of the time. This, Iyambo said, is unacceptable and must change with immediate effect.

"If things are not done in a proper manner, thugs will use it to their advantage and the country will become a target for illegal operators," he said.

"We want therefore to see how effectively you are monitoring any movement of people that are coming into or leaving the country."

Speaking to police officers on duty at the airport, Iyambo pleaded with his force members not to fall into traps, no matter how much money is offered by the offenders.

"Do not compromise our security, and thereby make our international airport become a loophole for criminal elements. Any aircraft, the fact that it landed here at this international airport, you must be sure what it brings in," he told the officers.
He said he is aware and has noticed the circumstances and difficulties police face.

"I was informed about difficulties related to your work â€" accommodation, salaries and uniforms. We are working on it, but we want Namibians to sleep in peace and it can only come when the police have unity among them. Respect yourself and keep good discipline at all cost," he urged the members.

Diplomats and Members of Parliament were also mentioned as not following safety procedures when arriving or departing. The minister told the police officers that no one is above the law.

"The law is meant for everybody. You don't need to treat a VIP member differently, and when he/she leaves he/she must go through the security check as everybody else," he said.

"Don't be rude, but treat everybody with dignity and fairness," he asked from them.

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