Zebaldt Ngaruka
OZOMBOUVAPA – The Epukiro constituency office, in collaboration with the environment ministry, will conduct fire-fighting training at Omaueuozonjanda, Omaheke region on 12 September 2023.
The alarming rate of veld fires in the constituency necessitated the training exercise, which will be conducted in both theory and practical modes by fire experts from METF.
Speaking to New Era, Willem Kaijetere Murangi, who is a constituency administrative officer, said the three-day course is aimed at equipping residents with firefighting skills.
“We have divided our constituency into 12 firefighting clusters, and each cluster is required to send fit and active people to this training session,” he said. Murangi urged all cluster leaders to select and register six to seven members who will lead in fight veld fires in their respective settlements should they occur. The administrative officer added that registration fee of N$50 per person is required.
According to Murangi, the clusters must take this exercise seriously as trainees will be given certificates upon completion of the course.
“We have plans for supplying fire-fighting equipment to all our clusters. We have a few of them currently, and we will see where we can get assistance to fully equip our fire-fighting teams,” he said.
The administrative officer also urged residents to avoid starting veld fires this season to prevent further loss, as the August wind has started.
“Our constituency received poor rainfall, and if a fire starts, we will have no pastures for livestock and most farmers will suffer. This is the time farmers must be on the lookout for fires, cooperate among themselves, and prevent fires breaking out,” Murangi advised.
On his part, traditional councillor Venoumba Mbatara, who lives in the fire-prone Txa-txas area, said the training is important and it has come at the right time.
“We, and our neighbours from Otumbonde, Ouvanda, Osava and Otjombundiro always fall victim to this disaster, and our grazing land end up destroyed due to lack of proper fire-fighting equipment and well-trained manpower,” Mbatara said. He encouraged young people in the area to take this opportunity for the benefit of their respective villages.