RIETFONTEIN – Prime Minister (PM) Elijah Ngurare on Wednesday expressed satisfaction with the introduction of the biomass and charcoal production course at the National Youth Service (NYS)’s Rietfontein centre near Grootfontein in the Otjozondjupa region.

Ngurare was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 345 recruits, who received certificates in part one of the charcoal production crash course. Part one of the course includes civic training intended to instill discipline, patriotism and nationhood pride into recruits, of whom half comprise members of the Namibia Exile Kids Association (NEKA).

“I am, therefore, fascinated to see the NYS we started in 1999 venturing into charcoal production training, which will assist recruits to become self-employed and look after their country by restoring the forest,” he said.

Ngurare noted that the charcoal production training is important in Namibia, as its youth will have their own companies at the end of the programme, enabling them to start to produce and add value to their products for export purposes.

Bush encroachment is a problem to farmers in the country, and with the graduates in biomass and charcoal production at the NYS, a lot of charcoal production business activities can be done at government farms where they will be deployed, he added.

The premier further called on Namibians in rural areas to enroll themselves in the course at NYS.

Speaking at the same event, Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture minister Sanet Steenkamp said the NYS biomass production course is aimed at empowering young people with practical skills with a plan that once they complete it, they can create employment for themselves and others.

“This programme is funded by our ministry with a motive to address youth unemployment,” she noted.

NYS Commissioner Dr Felix Musukubili said the 345 recruits who graduated in phase one will now enter phase two of the practical training at the NYS Gemsbokpan farm, situated about 60 kilometres south-east of Rietfontein.

– Nampa