Chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council, John Moonde, recently handed over equipment or materials to entrepreneurs in the Moses ǁGaroëb constituency as part of an effort in fulfilment of government’s promise to support the growth of sustainable self-employment and job creation in the communities.
Among the projects supported are welding, panel beating, carpentry, joinery, tailoring, butchery, bakery, catering, tailoring, fast-food take-away, fresh fish or meat retailers, cosmetology, and hair salons.
The items received by approximately 20 entrepreneurs in the constituency include a chest freezer, fridge, baking trays, stoves, chip cutting machines, sewing machines, microwaves, cookware set, welding and nail technician tools, dining chairs with tables and other items that aim to bolster employment-creation in the constituency.
Presenting the items to the beneficiaries, Moonde said that the smallest project received N$10 000, while the largest received N$20 000 for buying materials or equipment to assist the entrepreneurs of income-generating projects in the constituency.
The chairperson unequivocally stated that the applications were distributed to residents, but due to a large number of applicants, the council officials conducted project visitations and appraisals in accordance with programme guidelines in order to find viable projects and make recommendations to the Constituency Development Committee (CDC). As such, 20 projects were approved to benefit from the Income Generating Activities (IGA) Grant.
Furthermore, the chairperson emphasised that the council and its constituencies annually award IGA-Grants in the form of materials or equipment to community projects in order to uplift their existing small businesses and support the entrepreneurial and development of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the region.
“The grant encourages community members to embark on economically viable projects that could be sustained in the long run. Since its inception, the programme has immensely contributed to the reduction of poverty and increasing employment rates in the constituencies,” said Moonde.
Thankful beneficiaries in the respective constituency promised to take possession of the valuable items and store them safely in order to progress or work toward illuminating their projects, creating employment in society, and boosting the skills of others in their community.