OSHAKATI – Oshana governor Elia Irimari said the year 2019/20 has presented the people of his region with challenges of prolonged drought, economic downturn – and lately, the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Irimari made these remarks whilst presenting his 2019/20 state of the region address at Oshakati yesterday.
According to the governor, the challenges, especially the threat of Covid-19, not only disrupted past socio-economic gains but are persistently continuing to threaten the livelihood and simultaneously suppressing regional efforts of building a more resilient and prosperous region.
“We should not allow the impact of Covid-19 and other challenges to define our destiny, but they should rather unite us in all our resolves to restore and further develop our region,” Irimari stated.
He went on to say the Oshana region experienced an apolitically stable 2019/20, which remains a prerequisite for a peaceful and productive nation.
Optimum economic growth and social cohesion, Irimari said, can only be realised in a politically stable economy.
“It is for this reason that I condemn the disturbing phenomenon of disorderly debates as recently observed in Parliament as opposed to deliberations on real issues and challenges affecting our people,” he added.
Irimari further indicated the security situation in Oshana has also been under control, as his office worked closely with all State security agencies to combat crime and violence, as well as to ensure compliance to the state of emergency regulations in respect of Covid-19.
The governor believes the collective efforts of all stakeholders and the media continued to play an important role in disseminating relevant information to the public about development activities and educating the public on Covid-19 in the region.
“The Namibian Police Force has worked very hard under challenging circumstances of Covid-19 in enforcing and managing crime in the Oshana region,” Irimari noted.
Through the police hard work, even during the last Presidential and National Assembly Elections, Irimari said, the region managed to have the security situation under control.
– Nampa