Govt eyes local suppliers for animal visibility project - Nekundi
Transport minister Veikko Nekundi says government will consider local suppliers for its animal visibility pilot project, as authorities move to reduce costs while continuing efforts to curb vehicle-animal collisions on Namibian roads.
The Ministry of Works and Transport launched the animal visibility pilot project in response to thousands of animal-related road accidents recorded between 2020 and 2025, particularly in regions such as Omusati, Oshana and Khomas.
The initiative involves fitting free-roaming livestock, including cattle, donkeys, goats, sheep and dogs, with reflective collars and ear tags to improve visibility, especially during dawn and dusk when accidents are most frequent.
Nekundi acknowledged that the pilot’s initial N$4.6 million cost was high, attributing much of the expense to international transport after reflectors were sourced from China and India.
Nekundi said the pilot is currently underway and remains in a strict trial phase, with government testing different technologies to determine the most effective and safest solution for Namibian conditions.
“We are running two trials. One is the belt, which is a collar, and the other is the ear thing, reflective ear tags,” the minister explained.
He added that the outcomes of these trials would guide the final approach before any national rollout.
Beyond improving visibility, Nekundi said the reflective equipment is also intended to address long-standing problems around owner accountability.
The devices will allow authorities to trace animals involved in road accidents back to their owners, an issue that has historically complicated police and insurance company investigations.
The ministry hopes this will promote more responsible livestock management and ensure accountability where animals stray onto high-speed roads.
Long-standing road safety problem
Nekundi said the ministry is now adjusting its procurement strategy by exploring local suppliers, a move expected to significantly reduce costs in the future.
“We will now explore local suppliers. If there are any, I am certain we will reduce the cost by eliminating the international transport fees,” he said.
Some animal welfare organisations have welcomed the project as a practical intervention to reduce both animal deaths and human casualties, arguing that improving visibility is preferable to continued inaction on a long-standing road safety problem.
Following the launch of the pilot, Nekundi addressed some concerns about the safety of reflective collars, dismissing claims that they could become a “death trap” as unsupported by evidence.
“Our animals have belts around their necks; we have been putting belts on them for years. I want to understand the logic and the science behind the claim that if a belt is a reflector, it causes death, but a regular belt does not,” he said.
He stressed that the project is being implemented in good faith to save human lives, livestock and property, adding that reflective devices for animals have been successfully used in other countries to reduce road accidents.
Nekundi urged Namibians to adopt a constructive approach to national issues, welcoming suggestions for alternative systems or technologies.
"This problem of accidents has been happening for many years with no solution. Now that we are coming up with one, we need appreciation and better ideas, not just 'no’.”
With more than 5 500 animal-related road accidents recorded over the past five years, the ministry maintains that inaction is no longer an option.
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The Ministry of Works and Transport launched the animal visibility pilot project in response to thousands of animal-related road accidents recorded between 2020 and 2025, particularly in regions such as Omusati, Oshana and Khomas.
The initiative involves fitting free-roaming livestock, including cattle, donkeys, goats, sheep and dogs, with reflective collars and ear tags to improve visibility, especially during dawn and dusk when accidents are most frequent.
Nekundi acknowledged that the pilot’s initial N$4.6 million cost was high, attributing much of the expense to international transport after reflectors were sourced from China and India.
Nekundi said the pilot is currently underway and remains in a strict trial phase, with government testing different technologies to determine the most effective and safest solution for Namibian conditions.
“We are running two trials. One is the belt, which is a collar, and the other is the ear thing, reflective ear tags,” the minister explained.
He added that the outcomes of these trials would guide the final approach before any national rollout.
Beyond improving visibility, Nekundi said the reflective equipment is also intended to address long-standing problems around owner accountability.
The devices will allow authorities to trace animals involved in road accidents back to their owners, an issue that has historically complicated police and insurance company investigations.
The ministry hopes this will promote more responsible livestock management and ensure accountability where animals stray onto high-speed roads.
Long-standing road safety problem
Nekundi said the ministry is now adjusting its procurement strategy by exploring local suppliers, a move expected to significantly reduce costs in the future.
“We will now explore local suppliers. If there are any, I am certain we will reduce the cost by eliminating the international transport fees,” he said.
Some animal welfare organisations have welcomed the project as a practical intervention to reduce both animal deaths and human casualties, arguing that improving visibility is preferable to continued inaction on a long-standing road safety problem.
Following the launch of the pilot, Nekundi addressed some concerns about the safety of reflective collars, dismissing claims that they could become a “death trap” as unsupported by evidence.
“Our animals have belts around their necks; we have been putting belts on them for years. I want to understand the logic and the science behind the claim that if a belt is a reflector, it causes death, but a regular belt does not,” he said.
He stressed that the project is being implemented in good faith to save human lives, livestock and property, adding that reflective devices for animals have been successfully used in other countries to reduce road accidents.
Nekundi urged Namibians to adopt a constructive approach to national issues, welcoming suggestions for alternative systems or technologies.
"This problem of accidents has been happening for many years with no solution. Now that we are coming up with one, we need appreciation and better ideas, not just 'no’.”
With more than 5 500 animal-related road accidents recorded over the past five years, the ministry maintains that inaction is no longer an option.
[email protected]
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