Uukwiyu-Uushona
In their quest to supplement government’s effort to fight poverty and empower the local community, the Uukwiyu-Uushona Constituency Office is assisting local women to realise their dream of setting up northern Namibia’s first ceramic factory.
The Oshana Ceramic Manufacturing Project is already at an advanced stage and is expected to open its doors before the end of the year.
The Oshana Regional Council is funding the project through the One Region on Initiative (OROI) programme. Construction commenced at the end of June.
The factory will produce ceramic pots, plates, cups, toilet units and other ceramic equipment for the local market, especially the northern regions.
Control Administrative Officer at the Uukwiyu-Uushona Constituency Office, Abraham Shikoyeni said their market research indicated the project in their constituency is likely to be the first in northern regions.
The women acquired the skills from places they once worked at in Windhoek and thereafter imparted the knowledge to the people in the area.
The constituency councillor of Uukwiyu-Uushona, Andreas Amundjindi, said the project aims to create employment within the constituency and also to empower the local community.
“The aim of the project is to create employment,” he emphasised.
The project, which is spearheaded by women, is projected to create employment for about 15 permanent employees, with the exception of casual workers, who are also likely to be employed in times of peak production.
The project is employing local contractors for the bricklaying work and construction work of the new factory. The required building material is already in place and construction is expected to be completed in early August.
Construction of the new factory is estimated to cost around N$550,000.
The project is in line with the government’s “Growth at Home” industrialisation strategy and rhymes with the views expressed by the Deputy Minister of Safety and Security, Daniel Kashikola, who encouraged local people at the Eenhana Trade and Industry Expo on Wednesday to manufacture more products from raw materials found in Namibia.