Otniel Hembapu

OTJINENE – Ovambanderu paramount chief Eben Tjozohongo Nguvauva II on Sunday welcomed Vice President Nangolo Mbumba at Omimbonde Vitano at Omauezonjanda in the Epukiro constituency, where the traditional leader discussed a range of pressing issues with the deputy head of State.

Mbumba was on an official visit to the Omaheke region, which started last week Wednesday with visits to facilities and projects in the various constituencies.

This include site visits to the Shack Dwellers’ Federation houses in Gobabis, the auction pans at the town, the O-Space Innovation and Incubation Village, the Blouberg marginalised community as well as the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) Customs and Excise offices at the Trans Kalahari Buitepos.

He also visited the Hosea Kutako Shrine in Aminuis, the Kalahari Wild Silk and the Leonardville Aqua farm and the Fraser Garden Project at Otjinene, amongst many other places.

On Sunday, Mbumba headed to Epukiro and paid a courtesy visit to Ovambanderu chief Nguvauva II at Omimbonde Vitano, where he was welcomed by the chief and the traditional authority’s senior leaders.

Amongst the many issues discussed during their meeting, chief Nguvauva II touched on pressing issues such as the looming drought in his constituency and surrounding areas and asked Mbumba to see how government can assist the struggling farmers in various ways.  Nguvauva II and the vice president also discussed the long-planned construction of the Ovambanderu Traditional Authority (OTA) headquarters at Omimbonde Vitano, which was indefinitely postponed by government some years ago due to fiscal constraints.

Other matters discussed were the dilapidated road conditions in most parts of the Epukiro constituency and inadequate boreholes, which the chief said should be prioritised to help ease the activities of communal farmers in the area.

On his part, Mbumba reaffirmed government’s commitment to take development to all parts of the country, including the Omaheke region. He said Omaheke will never be left behind because it is of strategic importance to the country and to government’s development efforts.

“When you look at Omaheke, you will notice that this is not just a region that belongs to the Ovaherero and Ovambanderu people only, but many other tribes also live here and that shows how important it is. We have some of the best cattle and other animals here in the region. This region is highly important to the development agenda of the country and that’s why as government, we always say no one should feel left out and no one should be left out,” said Mbumba, who promised to take all shared concerns to the relevant government offices for prompt assistance.

- ohembapu@nepc.com.na