By Charles Tjatindi
SWAKOPMUND
Governor of the Erongo Region, Samuel Nuuyoma, says there is need to develop small rural communities within the region, in order to bring them into the mainstream of the economy.
Nuuyoma was speaking at the last ordinary council meeting for the year recently, where he was re-elected as Regional Governor for another three years.
In his acceptance speech, the governor noted that once rural areas such as Okombahe, Otjimbingwe and Omatjete are developed, the region could derive direct economic benefit from them. He also said there is need to further develop small towns in the region such as Karibib, Usakos and Arandis into much bigger production centres.
“As a region endowed with mineral resources, we are undoubtedly in a better position than other regions to create more jobs and opportunities through development,” he said.
Nuuyoma appealed to the residents of Erongo to cease being job seekers but to rather adopt a mindset that allows them to create jobs for themselves and others in the region.
“I am appealing to all to promote new forms of industrial and agricultural production. Energy must be devoted to activities such as aquaculture and cash crop production as a means of enhancing food security, poverty alleviation and employment creation in the region,” he noted.
According to the governor, agricultural produce such as dates and jojoba have great potential to alleviate poverty in the region. Nuuyoma believes that small-scale mining forms part of the long-term solution to root out poverty in the region.
He called on stakeholders responsible for HIV/Aids education in the region, to prioritise HIV/Aids prevention, as no development will be possible if the scourge of the pandemic is allowed to continue. He urged residents not to be discouraged, but to continue fighting HIV/Aids and ultimately reduce poverty in the region.
“Our commitment and dedication should overcome the spread, stigma, isolation and discrimination of people living with HIV/Aids. Let us all show our resolve and commitment as producers of wealth by taking necessary action to accomplish these missions,” said Nuuyoma.
All regional councillors for the various constituencies within the region retained their positions on the Erongo Regional Council. The council has seven constituencies, namely Swakopmund, Omaruru, Walvis Bay Urban, Walvis Bay Rural, Daures, Karibib and Arandis.
With a population of about 108ǟ