RUNDU – Kavango East regional governor Bonny Wakudumo said the construction of the agricultural campus for AgriVet programmes at the Rundu Vocational Training Centre is nearing completion.

Wakudumo made this revelation while delivering his state of the region address (SORA) on Friday, adding that the campus is expected to be completed this financial year.

“It is being constructed at a cost of N$3.1 million. A total number of 804 trainees were also enrolled at RVTC, with 15 trainees being from marginalised communities,” he said.

Wakudumo said during the academic year under review, the Namibia College of Open Learning enrolled 2 379 learners and awarded 16 scholarships in the region to the value of N$17 000.

In the area of health, the governor said the ministry of health and social services completed construction and inaugurated clinics at Shadikongoro and Ncaute to the value of N$16 million. Under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform, an amount of N$1 million were received for dry-land crop production, which benefitted 1 553 farmers. 

The N$1 million was also used to rip and plough for 1 416 farmers, who have a combined 3 488 hectares. “With regards to capacity building, the ministry trained 3 789 farmers in improved agricultural technology and techniques,” he stated.

Under the veterinary services, 20 607 cattle were vaccinated against the Foot and Mouth disease, while 529 pets were vaccinated against rabies during the period under review.

Meanwhile, Wakudumo said the construction of park management infrastructure at Buffalo in the Bwabwata National Park has been completed and comprises 20 staff houses, an administration block, tourist reception and a wastewater treatment plant.

According to the governor, the infrastructure was constructed at a cost of N$28 million.

Furthermore, he said the Kapinga Kamwalya conservancy was gazetted as a communal conservancy in 2019 to enable the community benefit from wildlife resources for the enhancement of livelihood and rural development.  

– Nampa