NKURENKURU – Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku has equated the high levels of youth unemployment and underdevelopment in the region to a country sitting on a ticking time bomb. 

Her warning comes on the backdrop of the latest Labour Force Report that was recently received by the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA). The report reveals that general unemployment in the Kavango West region has skyrocketed from the 33% recorded in 2018 to an appalling 52.8% in 2023. The governor said the situation in her region is of serious concern. 

Hence, urgent government interventions are needed to mitigate the rising youth unemployment and general underdevelopment seen across the region. 

“There is a need for development interventions. This report comes at a critical time – as the national budget is being finalised and as we prepare for a new administration. The region expects all government offices, ministries and agencies to realign their budget allocations to address the findings in our region,’’ she told New Era recently. 

Ausiku has through her state of the region addresses communicated the needs and shortcomings of the region as well as its aspirations. 

However, the implementation of crucial capital projects has been somewhat slow. 

The region remains without proper infrastructure as highlighted in the Multidimensional Poverty Index Report of 2021 by NSA. 

The governor believes there is a need to address infrastructure development challenges to stimulate the local economy. 

She said an increase in feeder roads will connect farmers to the markets, as livestock farming can create employment in the region. 

“The region doesn’t have water pipelines to promote more smallholder irrigation farmers. There is a need to accelerate rural electrification to all growth point villages to assist entrepreneurs to create small businesses to stimulate business activities,’’ she stressed. 

The Rundu Abattoir in the Kavango East has opened, also catering to the Kavango West farmers. 

However, the struggle with transportation due to poor road networks persists. 

Furthermore, smallholder horticulture farmers lack access to the markets to sell their produce. 

“The region has a strong academic performance, with many students excelling in the Advanced Subsidiary and Ordinary levels, and pursuing higher education. 

“Institutions of higher learning in Nkurenkuru continue to produce graduates. Yet many, including teachers, remain unemployed due to a lack of job opportunities,’’ she pointed out. 

More funding 

Ausiku called for adequate funding and serious prioritisation of government programmes and capital projects as the key drivers of development. 

“Regional councils must also receive sufficient budget allocations for programmes and projects that can create employment in their respective regions and constituencies. Regional councils should not be subjected to budget hearings from government of f ices, ministries and agencies after the budget has been approved. This causes unnecessary delays in the implementation process,’’ she noted. Aus iku want s the declaration of Mpungu, Rupara, Bunya, Ncamagoro, and Katjinakatji villages as settlements formalised. 

She furthermore want s Katwitwi to become a village council. All these plans must be backed by budgetary provisions to stimulate economic activity that can create jobs in those respect areas. “The government must support smallholder irrigation farmers by investing in water infrastructure. The Kavango Cattle Ranch has the potential to create jobs if properly managed. The region has already proposed its involvement in its administration. 

“Addressing these challenges will open opportunities for job creation, particularly for the youth. The region has high expectations for the new administration, trusting that government planning will be guided by available statistics to ensure prosperity for all Namibians,’’ she said. 

-jmuyamba@nepc.com.na