President commissions a second patrol boat

PRESIDENT Sam Nujoma yesterday commissioned Namibia’s second purpose-built fisheries patrol vessel at Walvis Bay.

The N$100 million multi-purpose vessel was named after a Namibian heroine, the late Anna Kakurukaze Mungunda. “The name of Comrade Mungunda will always be remembered because of her bravery and fearlessness, and as an icon of our struggle for national liberation and Independence,” said President Nujoma.Mungunda was one of 12 people killed in Windhoek on December 10 1959 when resisting forced removals from the Old Location to Katutura.The President said the vessel was named after Mungunda in recognition of her brave deeds, as well as in appreciation of the active participation of Namibian women in the liberation struggle.The new vessel was built by Freira Construction, a Spanish company based in Vigo, Spain.It took 14 months to build, and 15 days to sail from Spain to Namibia.Spain’s Ambassador, Francisco J Perez Griffo, said the vessel was the first project to be completed in terms of a bilateral financial programme between the two countries.The cost of the vessel included N$820 000 for the training of five Namibian marine officers.The vessel sailed to Namibia, manned by a Namibian crew and two foreign experts.It will be captained by a Norwegian until the end of the year when a Namibian captain will take over.The 59-metre long vessel is slightly longer than the Nathaniel Maxuilili, commissioned in June 2002.At that time the Maxuilili, built in Norway and Latvia, was described as one of the best in the world.The Mungunda, described as a modern patrol craft by the President, is fitted with some of the world’s best surveillance equipment.Built as a multi-purpose vessel, she will also be able to perform search and rescue operations, fight fires and marine pollution.Her main task will be to prevent illegal fishing activities in Namibian waters.She has capacity for 310 tons of fuel and 225 tons of water, and houses a clinic, gymnasium and conference room.Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, said the vessel was a State asset that would be available to other Government offices, Ministries and agencies.”The acquisition of this modern vessel will enable us to protect and enhance the sustainable exploitation of our marine resources in line with our fisheries legislation,” said President Nujoma.The oldest and third patrol vessel in the Ministry’s fleet is the Tobias Hainyeko which has a 100 per cent Namibian crew.The Ministry also has a patrol plane.”The name of Comrade Mungunda will always be remembered because of her bravery and fearlessness, and as an icon of our struggle for national liberation and Independence,” said President Nujoma.Mungunda was one of 12 people killed in Windhoek on December 10 1959 when resisting forced removals from the Old Location to Katutura.The President said the vessel was named after Mungunda in recognition of her brave deeds, as well as in appreciation of the active participation of Namibian women in the liberation struggle.The new vessel was built by Freira Construction, a Spanish company based in Vigo, Spain.It took 14 months to build, and 15 days to sail from Spain to Namibia.Spain’s Ambassador, Francisco J Perez Griffo, said the vessel was the first project to be completed in terms of a bilateral financial programme between the two countries.The cost of the vessel included N$820 000 for the training of five Namibian marine officers.The vessel sailed to Namibia, manned by a Namibian crew and two foreign experts.It will be captained by a Norwegian until the end of the year when a Namibian captain will take over.The 59-metre long vessel is slightly longer than the Nathaniel Maxuilili, commissioned in June 2002.At that time the Maxuilili, built in Norway and Latvia, was described as one of the best in the world.The Mungunda, described as a modern patrol craft by the President, is fitted with some of the world’s best surveillance equipment.Built as a multi-purpose vessel, she will also be able to perform search and rescue operations, fight fires and marine pollution.Her main task will be to prevent illegal fishing activities in Namibian waters.She has capacity for 310 tons of fuel and 225 tons of water, and houses a clinic, gymnasium and conference room.Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Dr Abraham Iyambo, said the vessel was a State asset that would be available to other Government offices, Ministries and agencies.”The acquisition of this modern vessel will enable us to protect and enhance the sustainable exploitation of our marine resources in line with our fisheries legislation,” said President Nujoma.The oldest and third patrol vessel in the Ministry’s fleet is the Tobias Hainyeko which has a 100 per cent Namibian crew.The Ministry also has a patrol plane.