Tsumeb
Oshikoto Region plans to address the prevailing water scarcity, to reduce mass unemployment, construct roads and electrify schools within the next four years.
Delivering his State of the Region Address on Friday, Governor of Oshikoto Region Henok Kankoshi said the region through the line ministry needs serious intervention to save the lives of both people and animals.
Although the governor did not reveal what percentage of the region is suffering from water shortages, he singled out Okankolo, Eengodi and Nehale lya Mpingana constituencies as the most severely affected.
Local residents are said to travel up to about 15 km and overnight at water points to secure water.
The governor emphasised that to date 11 water pipelines were rehabilitated and 41 pipelines installed, while four pipelines are expected to soon be rehabilitated.
“Six boreholes were rehabilitated, 11 drilled, while 16 boreholes were installed and the remaining nine will be installed soon,” said Kankoshi.
He said the region is also on course to reduce the unemployment rate amongst the youth, which currently stands at around 40 percent. He said Oshikoto has budgeted over N$1,3 million for projects aimed at creating employment opportunities for the youth, who are often worst affected by unemployment.
In addition, he said about 4 399 young people received training in basic business management and entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS awareness and civic and community service training.
Apart from the training, an amount of N$30 000 was disbursed to the youth in the form of loans through the credit to youth in business scheme.
The audience at Omuthiya Church was also informed that the regional council has approved the construction of ten gravel roads and the tarring of three gravel roads during the period in which the Harambee Prosperity Plan is in force.
The governor also appealed to the constituency councillors of Eengodi, Nehale lya Mpingana and Okankolo to prioritise the electrification of schools that offer Grade 10.
He said there is a dire need to electrify the schools in order to maintain the region’s position in the Grade 10 national exams. The region is said to have retained first position for the past eight consecutive years.
While giving account of the achievements recorded during his term of office, Kankoshi appealed to all stakeholders to prioritise education. He said the region has done its part through the establishment of at least five schools in five constituencies.
Attendees at the SORA expressed their dissatisfaction, saying they are hopeful for a more detailed report and statistics, especially in the areas of education and health.
“Some issues are urgent. I would have wanted to know how many clinics are in the region, and how many would be constructed when and where. However, the address informed us of things we already know,” said one attendee.
Another proposed that the governor’s address should include a question and answer session in the future. Although there were provisions made on the agenda for a question and answer session, the programme was not followed to the letter.