Elizabeth Hiyolwa
NKURENKURU – The Kavango West region is the youngest among the 14 regions, and came into existence in 2013 when the then Kavango region was split into two.
In a recent discussion with Kavango West’s MICT office, acting chief regional officer (CRO) Matheus Singambwe applauded the milestones the region has achieved in terms of development.
He also outlined some of the challenges they are still facing, starting with the issue that has become a thorn in the flesh for all residents, the frequent power outages.
Singambwe criticised the Electricity Control Board, Northern Namibia Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) and the Namibia Power Corporation (Nampower) for constant power outages. “We have indicated to the electricity control board, Nampower and Nored to put their house in order. We cannot be treated and be supplied from a rural line; Kavango West needs to have its own direct line, like all other capital towns in this country,” he stressed.
Furthermore, the region is faced with the challenge of the lack of involvement and participation from the regional level, observing that there seem to be sectors and ministries which still want to keep power at the central level, even if projects and programmes are meant for regional development.
“They still want these decisions to be made by them in Windhoek, where the headquarters of the ministries are. It is very important that whatever development is taking place in a particular region or area, involves the people,” he charged.
Singambwe said after 10 years of existence, the region still has an issue with getting services from other regions because not all ministries have offices here.
“Those ministries which did not set up their offices in the region are denying the inhabitants of the region the services that they are required to provide, including parastatals,” he stated.
The acting CRO likewise touched on the challenge of the budget allocated to the region, stating that the council has made several attempts to convince the line ministry for an additional amount.
“We’ve been asking for a very much considerable amount of budget, considering that we are very much a newly-created region. We cannot be treated the same or as equal as the other 13 regions which already have their own structure,” he continued.
* Elizabeth Hiyolwa is an information officer for the MICT in the Kavango West region.