OSHANA- More than 30 000 children in the Oshana region receive government support through social grants valued at more than N$12 million.

Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge said the ministry also supports Early Childhood Development centres in the form of subsidy valued at N$3,7 million. He revealed this during his State of the Region Address (Sora) in Oshakati on Friday, in which he noted that government remains committed to people-centered development, focusing on improving quality of life for all people.

“Over the past year, efforts have intensified through targeted programmes in health, education, housing, and social protection, especially for vulnerable communities,” he stated.

He said the Office of the Prime Minister as part of the government drought relief programme has supported 18 784 food insecure households in the region with food during the year under review.

The governor said this support was essential to ensure food security and improve the coping capacity of drought affected rural and peri-urban households. 

He added that the Oshana Regional Council also procured food and supported drought affected households in the region.

“Besides the drought affected households, the government also provide food support to marginalized communities on a monthly basis in the region.”

 He indicated that a total of 554 households of marginalised communities receive this support from the ministry of gender.

“The Ministry of environment allocated three elephants to support the drought relief programme in Oshana region. All three elephants were culled in Iipumbu yaTshilongo Conservancy and distributed to the drought relief programme beneficiaries.”

 In addition, Iipinge said the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism facilitated trophy hunting in Iipumbu ya-Tshilongo conservancy, generating the conservancy a total of N$408 000 for its members’ beneficiation. 

 “The ministry of environment, forestry and tourism prioritised the management of forest through the clearing of cutline to prevent veld fires and produce seedling,” he said.

He also revealed that the ministry produced 4995 and spent an amount of N$353 thousand in clearing cutline. 

“I have equally noted the ministry of environment, forestry and tourism’s commitment in its endeavor to minimize Human – Wildlife Conflict, combating illegal poaching and protecting endangered species in the region,” he said. – fhamalwa@nepc.com.na