OUTAPI – Vice-President of the Swapo Party Dr Hage Geingob says government will concentrate on the welfare of poor people by uplifting health and sanitation conditions in villages.
Geingob made the remarks yesterday at the consultative meeting with the Swapo Party leadership and business community in Outapi.
Geingob, who is also the prime minister, said that government would concentrate on creating jobs for the people in rural areas and narrow the ever-widening gap between the rich and the poor.
“Business people should use their abilities; we must concentrate on the poor and provide jobs for them,” stressed Geingob.
Geingob was making reference to the urban poor who usually go to bed without food especially in the informal settlements mushrooming around towns.
Geingob also urged business personalities to feel empowered and use their abilities to be the driving force towards wealth and job creation.
He said Namibia has a long way to go, but he would be disappointed if people remain silent, and they should rather complain when things are not right.
He said there is no short cut to awarding tenders.
“You cannot be corrupt as procedures have to be followed,” emphasised Geingob.
He said that government would continue to have consultative meetings with the people at the grassroots level so that primary information can be obtained.
“We have come to interact so that supporters can ask questions and get answers from the right people,” said Geingob.
Geingob emphasised that the Swapo-led government would continue to preach about what has been done and what it is planning to do rather than promising what it is going to do.
He said that among many things the Swapo-led government can be proud of is the good road infrastructure, which has enabled easy access to different towns.
Geingob who was speaking in confidence of victory in the upcoming elections said Swapo Party would continue to win elections because the party is in touch with the people at the grassroots.
“We win because we consult with the people,” he said.
Also speaking at the event, Petrus Kanu Amadhila, who spoke on behalf of the business community listed some of the challenges they face everyday.
Amadhila stressed there is a need to empower the business people in the regions.
He said local businesses continue to compete for tenders with foreign investors who are not in the same league of upcoming entrepreneurs.
Getting loans from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN) is another headache and losing battle for local entrepreneurs, he added.
Amadhila also called for the government to smoothen bilateral trade between Namibia and Angola.
By Nuusita Ashipala