Rudolf Gaiseb 

Kunene governor Marius Sheya said the region is in a good state to foster unique developments, including green economy, mining, agriculture and tourism. 

“We are introducing projects like
Improving Rangeland and Ecosystem Management (IREMA), the Namibia Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project, green hydrogen, new lodges and accommodation facilities, the roads, and the Baynes hydro-power plant to drive growth in the region,” he said while delivering his last State of the Region Address (Sora) in Opuwo, Kunene regional capital, last week. 

During the Sora, Sheya made it a point to lure potential investors, both local and foreign.

“We are adamant that our coastline and marine resources are of great economic value. Therefore, the development of the Angra Fria harbour and coastal town is of utmost importance. Locally, we have developed the Kunene Region Youth Development strategy, and the Kunene Region Informal Settlement Upgrade Initiative that have the potential to change the social development of the region,” he said.

Development

One of the notable development projects in recent years, as he illustrated, include the construction of water reticulation in Ada-/Naugu informal settlement, and Shack Dwellers Federation settlement in Khorixas (Phase 2). This created jobs for 13 locals. The contract’s value is N$4.2 million, of which N$1.7 million is for expenditure.

Drought

Like most parts of the country, drought too has its grip on Kunene.

Following President Nangolo Mbumba’s declaration of a State of Emergency on drought, Sheya said, “To respond promptly and ensure that vulnerable communities are not affected by the drought situation, we have 35 002 households receiving drought relief in the region, which includes maize meal, cooking oil, tinned fish and soya mince.”

The drought-prone region was blessed with a borehole at Otjerunda CS in Opuwo Rural; which project was completed by the Office of the Prime Minister. Meanwhile, a new water pump at Omuhonga Combined School in Epupa was installed for N$268 000. The ministry of agriculture received N$30 million through the Namibian-German Co-operation and the European Commission to implement the land reform programme, focussing on communal areas.

The ministry and the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN), as consultants, developed the Local Level Participatory Plan (LLPP) for agricultural commercialisation in areas to be designated for agricultural purposes in communal areas of the Kunene region. 1 000 pre-paid water meters were installed at Opuwo with an allocated amount of N$5 million, of which N$1 million was spent.

“The construction of bulk water storage Phase 2 is 75% complete and employed 12 people at a cost of N$4.5 million. The construction of bulk water storage Phase 1 at N$3.9 million, is 80% complete, and employs two people. Siding of eight boreholes in Kamanjab was completed at the cost of
N$760 426. Four boreholes costing N$1.4 million were also drilled, and the project is complete,” Sheya said.

Grants

On the social front, social safety nets protect elders and vulnerable people against the brunt of poverty and hunger. These social support systems give poor households income security, reduce inequalities and ensure that growth is s
hared. In Kunene, a total of N$6.9 million is spent to administer government maintenance grants to  27 505 beneficiaries, N$11.1 million on old age grants to 8 536 beneficiaries, and N$4.5 million on disability grants to 3 240 beneficiaries monthly.

Education

The region made progress on the education
front. To this effect, Outjo Project School, a new school, cost about N$8.7 million, and is 90% complete. “The renovation of a hostel block at Eddie Bowe Primary School in Khorixas is progressing
well at a cost of N$1.1 million,” he said.

Health

Sheya further said, “The construction and upgrading of primary healthcare clinics cost N$9.7 million, including the Epupa clinic and staff accommodation, which are 95% complete.”

Furthermore, the construction of the Oroutumba health post was completed at the cost of N$628 813.

“Service and repair of an autoclave for Opuwo hospital was N$89 895, and for Khorixas hospital, the cost was N$79 609.” –rrgaiseb@gmail.com