KEETMANSHOOP - Jeremias Goeieman, Berseba constituency councillor said it is disheartening that residents in the constituency are living in utmost poverty whilst it is endowed with rich natural resources.
He made this statement recently at Snyfontein near the Neckartal Dam. He said residents of the
//Kharas region should be first in line as beneficiaries of these resources.
“The construction of the Neckartal Dam was meant to bring opportunities for employment and positive changes into the lives and livelihoods of the people of !Gaoses and surroundings, Berseba constituency, //Kharas region and Namibia as a whole,” he said.
During the event, crop production equipment and materials like seeds, fertiliser, rakes and wheelbarrows worth N$200 000 was handed over to 22 crop-producing and horticulture communal farmers whilst 160 local learners received toiletries worth N$31 000.
Goeieman, however, said the development has not materialized yet, making citizens live in abject poverty. “People were moved from their places of origin and promised compensation, but some are still waiting until today,” he said.
The politician continued
that this disturbance in the ecosystem brought human-wildlife conflict because baboons were chased away from their natural habitat.
“These baboons have as a result now destroyed gardens of people and at times kill the chickens and lambs of farmers,” he said.
Goeieman said, to his dismay, he learned at a conservancy meeting from the officials of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism that baboons are not classified as problem animals. “My only conclusion is that baboons only operate in certain regions,” he said.
“My plea to the regional political leadership is that we should take up this fight on behalf of our people so that environment can also declare baboons as problem animals
and our people get compensation for losses incurred, negatively affecting their livelihoods,” he said.
The councillor also bemoaned the fact that the said community members can’t fish in the Neckartal Dam in the name of sustainability. “They now have to apply for permits when they want to fish and must use certain prescribed fishing tools,” he added.
Goeieman said ways must be found for the residents to continue benefiting from fishing.
Approached for response, Romeo Muyunda, ministry of environment spokesperson explained that baboons have indeed not been classified as problem animals.
“Owners who suffered livestock and crop losses at the hands of these animals are, however, permitted by the ministry to get rid of such animals, provided they do not eliminate the whole group, but only the few problematic ones,” he added.
The spokesperson also urged those affected to approach the line ministry for assistance if unable to control the
situation.