Windhoek
In line with President Hage Geingob’s impassioned call that “no one must be left out”, newly elected Epukiro Constituency Councillor Cornelius Kanguatjivi called a stakeholders’ consultative meeting to address key issues affecting the local community on Saturday.
With more than 130 participants, the consultative meeting – the first of its kind – was attended by representatives of various traditional authorities, farmers’ unions, school management teams, business people, youth organisations, government officials in the area, and village representatives.
The meeting took place at Okovimburu (Epukiro Pos 10) in Epukiro Constituency in the Omaheke Region. Kanguatjivi, who is also a member of the National Council, yesterday described the meeting as a great success. He said, based on the findings of the meeting, it will now be easier for him to draw a five-year strategic plan.
“The meeting gave me a clear indication where the community of Epukiro wants to be in five years’ time,” he said. “A lot was discussed at the meeting, including the hardship faced by villagers. What is needed now is action,” Kanguatjivi said.
In his opening remarks senior councillor of the OvaMbanderu Traditional Authority (OTA) Ripuree Tjozongoro highlighted the importance of working as a team, warning stakeholders to avoid infighting. He also requested stakeholders not look at each other as strangers but as planners and developers. “Let’s avoid the infights and respect everyone’s opinion for the success of the meeting as intended,” he said.
On her part, former Epukiro Constituency councillor, Ruth Kaukuata, spoke about development projects completed during her tenure. She assured Kanguatjivi that her door remains open and that she is willing assist where needed.
Speaking at the same occasion, Brave Tjizera, the first councillor elected to Epukiro Constituency, implored Kanguatjivi to work closely with government ministries to find out what resources are available to benefit villagers.
Tjizera went on to say that no villagers or residents should be left out and uninformed about any developmental matters. He urged Kanguatjivi to find out from government ministries in the constituency what resources are available and how these can be accessed for the planned projects.
In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the lack of infrastructural development, including schools, community halls, housing, roads, as well as the problems of land distribution, agriculture, industrialisation, minerals exploration, tourism, education, health, arts, culture and sports, as some of the key issues of concern in the area.