RUNDU – National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Martin Lukato has rallied for votes in the two Kavango regions, saying his party understands their issues inside out and has remedies for their cries.
In an exclusive interview with this publication recently, Lukato said the NDP is ready to address the issue of development in the two Kavango regions by using the country’s resources.
“Namibia is endowed with natural resources, which means the construction of roads in all rural areas is a priority for the NDP to ensure that the two regions also benefit from these resources,’’ he said.
He added: “I know the regions well from corner to corner, and I know their plight. They are affected by a lack of potable water and road networks. They have no access roads in place, and roads link people to government services, which they are currently being deprived of”.
According to Lukato, the issue of employing non-inhabitants at the expense of locals at State-run green schemes is a serious concern.
“That will cease once you put us in power. Our manifesto has put in place that those who should benefit first are the immediate local people because they should first benefit before considering those who are coming from other places,’’ he noted.
“We have observed that some of the projects are not operating at the expected capacity, and some are just not productive. We see irrigation projects are good for the food security of the country.
The two Kavango regions are having water and that should enable the green scheme projects to operate fully to also employ locals to reduce unemployment amongst youths in the region’.’
An advocate for free education, Lukato promised to build schools with hostels in the rural parts of the two Kavango regions to cater to learners from primary to secondary schools.
According to NDP, no development is happening in rural areas, but once schools with hostels are developed there, the economy of these areas will “be born, as these teachers and school staff will move the economy and later the clinics will be developed, and nurses and other employment opportunities will begin. Eventually, other services will develop such as shops, to cater to the working class.”
“The schools and hostels should be built; people should not suffer and flock to towns because of schools and they end up suffering in town,’’ he
added.