OMHEDI – Newly-appointed Ohangwena regional governor Sebastian Ndeitunga said over 48 000 homesteads are currently registered on a drought relief programme in the region, but only 16 000 benefited so far.

He made this statement when he visited the Oukwanyama Palace in Omhedi to officially present himself as the newly- appointed head of the region to Ohamba Martha Christian Mwadinhomo Nelumbu and the entire traditional authority.

“The region is currently dealing with a variety of issues that I feel are burdensome, but hunger is one that requires urgent attention. It was addressed with an urgency, despite the fact that many homesteads are still experiencing starvation,” he stated. 

Ndeitunga said the other challenge the region is facing is the unbearable drought, which is affecting a lot of constituencies here.

“A number of boreholes which were anticipated to be donated to areas severely impacted by drought were received by the region. Additionally, we are eager to dig for a large amount of underground water. But unfortunately, this will take time, and the water will probably only be used by 2025,” he added.

Ohamba Nelumbu and the traditional authority welcomed Ndeitunga into the region with open arms.

Nelumbu urged the governor to form a coalition with the traditional leaders, and to exhort community members to begin with fieldwork as it has already started raining.

 “I also want to you to make sure that no homestead receives any drought relief aid when family members of that specific place wake up and go straight to shebeens instead of going into the field to work and make a living out of farm work,” she emphasised. 

“Village headmen should also introduce specific opening and closing hours for shebeens so that people can make time for their families at home and for the fields as well,” continued Nelumbu.

- taimihaihambo2000@gmail.com