OSHAKATI
The Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources Chief Samuel Ankama has advised the Oshakati Town Council to work with and assist companies that contribute to the socio-economic development of the town.
Ankama was stunned that big companies operating at the town were non-existent at the fifth Totem Expo gala dinner held at the town on Saturday.
“There are a lot of companies in the town, but when the town is raising funds towards its socio-economic development, they do not contribute,” said Ankama sternly.
This year’s Totem Expo gala dinner only succeeded to raise N$510 000 compared to N$1.3 million last year.
Erastus Shapumba of Chicco Building Supplies and David Sheehama of Kambwa Trading jointly contributed N$110 000 towards the event, making the two businessmen the main sponsors.
Fysal retail store contributed N$100 000 while First National Bank gave N$30 000.
The expo is scheduled to run from May 27 to June 4 and will be celebrated under the theme “strengthening ties through culture”.
The Governor of Oshana Region Clemens Kashuupulwa appealed to the Oshakati Town Council to continue involving the public and potential business people in the planning and expansion of the town.
“This is our town; let us not expect its development to be shaped up by foreign investors only. We must involve ourselves to take our town towards a bright future,” said Kashuupulwa.
Kashuupulwa said the expo has over the years created jobs among the unemployed youth and women and has also fostered growth in the region’s development and infrastructure as a whole.
The Mayor of Oshakati Town Council, Katrina Shimbulu, assured sponsors that the money collected towards the hosting of the expo has been fully utilized by successfully preparing and hosting the expo.