Engen Namibia has donated fuel valued at N$100 000 to the Walvis Bay Corridor Group (WBCG), who are working closely with the Ministry of Health and Social Services to help fuel mobile clinics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the country.

Engen Namibia managing director, Christian Li applauded the WBCG for their initiative in providing health screenings to frontline truck drivers. 

“Mobile and roadside wellness clinics make a real difference in society, helping to reduce the impact and threat of treatable conditions as well as, in these unprecedented times, the necessity for ongoing screening to curb and fight against the spread of COVID-19”, says Li.  

Engen Nambia has also offered its network of Retail Service Stations at the disposal of WBCG to have their mobile wellness clinics closer and more convenient to the communities and truck drivers.

Accepting the sponsorship, WBCG’s CEO, Mbahupu Tjivikua praised Engen for their support.  “This sponsorship comes at a crucial time, where the ability to reach the vulnerable population and engage the various stakeholders across the country is fundamental to our mandate.” Mr Tjivikua further welcomed Engen Namibia as the latest strategic partner to the Walvis Bay Corridor Group and a member of the transport industry.

Further to the Walvis Bay Corridor Group’s (WBCG) efforts to facilitate the movement of goods, they are an essential service provider in Namibia’s health response as well. 

Over the past few months, the WBCG has actively supported government’s response to the pandemic, through various initiatives. WBCG”s Wellness Services Manager, Edward Shivute explains that the company joined the MoHSS’ efforts, as the transport industry is extremely vulnerable to Covid-19 infections. 

WBCG’s decision to heed the call from government for organisations to assist with the country’s Covid-19 response stemmed from the company’s business model to provide wellness interventions to the transport industry and along the corridors. The WBCG’s roadside wellness clinics remain open to ensure continuity of strategic clinical services. In particular, the focus is on ensuring that mobile populations such as truck drivers and other vulnerable key populations are continuously sensitised and screened for COVID-19. The mobile wellness clinics navigate to other hotpots around the country where health and wellness services are required. WBCG views transporters and in particular the truck drivers as valuable assets of our economy and of utmost importance. Hence, WBCG will support all efforts to ensure their well-being and safety, as well as safe delivery of cargo.

Mr Tjivikua further applauded the transport industry, who have pulled together during these extra-ordinary times, supporting where they can to ensure the safety of the truck drivers, while having to adjust to the alternating procedures put in place due to covid-19. “It is a difficult time for all. For business, this is the time to act together. Only concerted action can we effectively combat a threat of this scale”, the CEO concluded.