Rudolf Gaiseb
The Khomas Regional Council (KRC), has allocated N$16 million for the construction of the Katutura Central constituency office.
The amount is for infrastructural development. It will cover documentation, design and supervision, including its construction project at Single Quarters.
Council chairperson John Moonde commended the council for a job well done over the last five years.
He encouraged them to continue carrying out their tasks effectively and efficiently.
“We strive to uplift the livelihood of our region’s inhabitants by implementing demand-driven programmes in a timely manner, leveraging innovation and resources at our disposal,” he said.
He urged the residents to join government efforts and partake in their development activity, thus contributing positively to the socio-economic development of the region and country in general.
Several other projects are earmarked for implementation in the last quarter of the 2024/25 financial year.
These planned projects encompass the sectors of education, health, safety and security, maintenance of offices as well as other infrastructural development, water intervention and sanitation.
The council provided N$2.3 million, allocated equally among the constituencies for the implementation of various community projects.
This is for the improvement of the livelihood of the communities.
Moonde said 13 projects are approved by the council, and are at different levels of implementation.
The completion date for these projects is scheduled for the end of March 2025.
Challenges
The high regional unemployment rate, especially among the youth, continues to burden the KRC.
It stands at 31.5%, as per the Namibia Labour Force 2018 survey.
Moonde said that despite their interventions, there is still more to do as a region.
The recent flash flood last month caused extensive damage to properties, leaving many families destitute.
This imposes a huge burden on the authorities to restore the dignity of these families.
These victims were relocated in collaboration with the City of Windhoek, the Office of the Prime Minister and relevant stakeholders.
Approximately 308 households, totalling 1 250 residents, were adversely affected by the flooding due to them residing in inhabitable areas that are formally classified as restricted settlement zones.
“It has become a big issue for the Khomas region, whereby people come to the region seeking better opportunities. This problem does not only hamper our development plans but also affects our service delivery, such as access to clean water and sanitation,” he noted.
Sanitation
The council allocated a budget of N$4.5 million. The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform allocated N$4 million towards water provision in rural areas during the 2024/2025 financial year.
The projects implemented under this programme include the drilling of five boreholes at Farm Versailles (Camp-//Garoeb), Farm Danixas, Farm Brakpan, Farm ǂKhanubeb and Farm Opdam.
All the boreholes use solar technology.
Moonde said that the drilling of five more boreholes is underway at different locations in Satanscloth.
Seven boreholes were supplied and installed with new solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with tank stands, tanks, taps and troughs.
The water supply facilities were completed at the following localities within the Windhoek Rural Constituency: Nauaspoort (Herman), Nauaspoort Sagaria, ǂGoas-Satanslocht, Garib, Ueros, Farm Areb and Farm Versailles.
Three boreholes were rehabilitated at Farm Versailles, Verdruk and Kransneus.
“The council will continue to restore potable water supply at the affected areas in the region,” Moonde said.
A total of 43 members from the three Water Point Committees, such as Verdruk, Ueros and Kransneus, were trained.
The training of the waterpoint committee members at #Aro-Vlei, !Areb, !Kharoxas, /Neragu-//hoas, Autabib, /Garib, Satanscloth and Aro-Vlei are planned for January to February 2025.
“To date, a total amount of N$4.57 million is spent, while the remainder of the budget is committed to implementing outstanding water interventions-related activities before the end of the 2024/25 financial year,” he added.
The council allocated a budget of N$1.3 million, the water ministry allocated an amount of N$829 737, and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development allocated N$298 000 to the construction of 178 dry pit latrines in rural areas during 2024/2025.
Moonde said 123 dry toilets were constructed at the household level to the tune of N$1 million, creating temporary employment during construction for 107 people in rural areas.
The remaining 55 toilets are under construction.
“With regards to other rural development programmes, three projects, ranging from tyre repairs to catering services, are approved and funded. Materials and equipment are handed over to beneficiaries for N$261 036.31. The council is in the process of procuring goats for two beneficiaries under the Support Resources to Poor Farmers Programme,” Moonde noted.
Health
During the period under review, the council procured the Mix Settlement prefab clinic basic equipment.
“At Hakahana Clinic for Phase 2, the council renovated the community hall and constructed a boundary wall at a cost of around N$1.35 million. The council procured a fully-fledged ambulance that was handed over to the Ministry of Health and Social Services in August 2024 for N$1 million,” Moonde stated.
-rrgaiseb@gmail.com