OMUTHIYA – A concerned group from Oshikoto region has proposed the establishment of a new region comprising parts of the Oshana, Ohangwena and Oshikoto, saying this would improve service delivery to inhabitants.
The group submitted their proposal during the fifth Boundaries Delimitation and Demarcation Commission meeting held at Omuthiya on Tuesday. They suggested that the new region be named Oshikoto West.
The group, led by Acktofel Uugulu, said the creation of such a region would benefit Ondangwa because it has a large population and has grown over the years to become a central point for many daily needs.
“Ondangwa is fully developed with almost all urban infrastructure and a number of unutilised government buildings, which could be the regional headquarters of the envisaged Oshikoto West region,” Uugulu said.
The proposal outlined that the new region could consist of the Onayena, Olukonda and Oniipa constituencies in Oshikoto; the Omulonga and South West Eenhana constituencies of Ohangwena; as well as the Otyali, Uukwiyuushona, Okaku and Ondangwa rural constituencies in the Oshana region.
Uugulu said people from these constituencies travel long distances to their regional capitals to access government offices, saying they often miss out on opportunities and information because of the long distances.
“The new region will bring public institutions, services and goods closer to the people in these respective constituencies,” said Uugulu.
The group said it had consulted various stakeholders such as the Ondonga Traditional Authority, the governors and councillors of the three affected regions, the Ondangwa and Oniipa town councils, church leaders, the business community, and the affected communities in general.
Some councillors from the affected regions such as the councillor of the Olukonda constituency, Fillemon Ndjambula, however informed the commission they had not been consulted.
The commission is led by retired Judge Petrus Unengu.
-Nampa