Swakopmund – Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo, Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), has committed to improving safety for both citizens and visitors in Namibia. This assurance comes in response to Namibia’s recent drop in the global safety ranking, as reported by Gallup’s global polling.

According to Namibia Press Agency (NAMPA), Namibia was ranked by Gallup as one of the lowest countries in terms of law and order. In the latest poll results, which surveyed over 140 countries in 2022, Namibia scored 62 on the law-and-order index, down from 65 the previous year, placing it as the 11th worst globally in this category. Shikongo addressed these concerns during the launch of the Festive Season Road Safety Campaign in Swakopmund on Friday.

Shikongo reassured the public of NamPol’s commitment to enhancing the country’s standing in the index to ensure public safety and security. He emphasized the importance of focusing on the safety and security of the entire population, not just incidents involving tourists.

He also called on law enforcement officers to be vigilant and committed during the Festive Season Campaign, urging them to perform their duties impartially and conscientiously. Additionally, Shikongo appealed to all stakeholders, including drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and the road safety community, to collaborate for the success of the campaign.

The Festive Season Campaign, which started on November 17 and will run until January 17, 2024, will be implemented nationwide. It will particularly focus on the notorious B1 and B2 highways, aiming to significantly reduce crashes, injuries, and fatalities by targeting common road offenses.