ATM expansion in Aus
Martin Lukato, leader of the National Democratic Party (NDP), has requested that the Ministry of Finance, through the Bank of Namibia, engage Bank Windhoek to place ATMs in Aus in the //Karas Region, noting problems inhabitants have in accessing banking services.
He said the town's residents, including agricultural workers, civil servants and grant beneficiaries, experience challenges accessing cash, with the few existing ATMs reportedly becoming overcrowded on payday. Lukato further raised concerns that the limited availability of ATMs, coupled with frequent cash shortages and breakdowns, leaves residents struggling to access their money. "There is no Bank Windhoek ATMs and cause of that Bank Windhoek clients are forced to use First National Bank (FNB) or Standard Bank ATMs."
According to the Lukato, some residents are forced to travel to Noordoewer or Karasburg to access banking services, resulting in additional transport costs, he therefore ask the ministry of finance, through Bank of Namibia, to engage Bank Windhoek to urgently install ATMs in Aus to improve access for its customers. The questions also seek to establish what regulations are in place to enforce minimum cash-replenishment and repair turnaround times for ATMs in rural areas, so that communities are not left without access to cash for extended periods.
He asked what immediate steps would be done ahead of the grape harvest season, when thousands of seasonal workers are scheduled to come in the area, to provide enough cash availability and decrease the burden of interbank withdrawal fees.
