NDONGA LINENA – The traditional leader of the Vagciriku Traditional Authority Hompa Kassian Shiyambi was thrilled to see the official inauguration of the Ndonga Linena constituency office on Friday, saying through that office his subjects will be served efficiently and much quicker.
Hompa Shiyambi also noted his office has worked well with the constituency office in pursuit of bringing services to his subjects and said it is important the relationship is kept going, in order to render fast and effective services.
Chief Shiyambi recalled having a meeting with the constituency councillor where he had highlighted the importance of this office to his people and the need to construct it.
“He told me that the community was happy that the office of the councillor was going to be constructed as it was going to bring government closer to the people and I said if the people want it give it to them – whatever their demands do it for them. I am happy that this day has come, even when I came I saw my people are also very happy because today is a joyous day for all of us,” he said.
“The councillor came to me saying they want to construct the constituency office and I asked will that really be a reality, will the project see the light and he said we will try and today we are here at this state-of-the-art building which I have never seen in my area, I only used to see it on the other side so let us take care of this facility and guard it from vandalism,” enthused the Hompa.
Hompa Shiyambi urged inhabitants of the Vagciriku Traditional Authority to fully utilise the office, which is now officially at their disposal, to their advantage and wisely.
“This is our office may the Lord bless our councillor to continue doing a great job. The traditional authority and councillor’s office have been working together effectively in order to deliver services to our people and that relationship should continue because if we don’t work together our people won’t be serviced effectively,” he said.
The new constituency came into existence when government split the old Kavango Region into Kavango East and Kavango West.
The constituency office was officially inaugurated by the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Peya Mushelenga.
“Following the fourth delimitation commission recommendations, in 2013 Namibia was demarcated into 14 regions and 121 constituencies of which Ndonga Linena was one of the new constituencies in the Kavango East. The creation of Ndonga Linena constituency brought the constituencies in this region to a total of six constituencies – the establishment of this constituency was necessitated by Ndiyona constituency which Ndonga Linena was part of,” Mushelenga noted.
The state-of-the-art office building constructed at a cost of N$8 million will consist of a reception hall, four offices, boardroom, tea room, toilet facilities, an entertainment area, storeroom, kitchen, cleaner’s room, guardhouse and a parking lot.
The office is being constructed by Africa Civil Engineering Construction Company and is situated near the government’s Ndonga Linena Irrigation project, a few metres along the gravel road north of the Trans-Caprivi Highway.
“The purpose of this investment is to enable staff members of the constituency office to have a conducive working environment for them to serve the community of Ndonga Linena constituency,” said the urban and rural development minister.
The project has created temporary employment opportunities for 32 people from the village.
The newly established constituency office is expected to bring relief to inhabitants of the area, as they will now be able to easily access and consult their elected leaders. The office is manned by Petrus Kavhura, the founding councillor of Ndonga Linena constituency.
Kavango East Region has six constituencies, including Rundu Urban, Rundu Rural, Mashare, Ndonga Linena, Ndiyona and Mukwe. All these have been in existence for some time, except for Ndonga Linena, which was demarcated from Ndiyona constituency. Thus, all the old constituencies will use their existing offices and only Ndonga Linena constituency will have a new administrative block. Ndonga Linena is located 90 km east of Rundu in Ndonga Linena constituency in Kavango East.