KEETMANSHOOP - !Nami#Nus councillor Susan Ndjaleka says there are a lot of potential opportunities lying idle that could be utilised optimally for the benefit of the constituency’s inhabitants.
In an interview with New Era this week, Ndjaleka explained her office has created a database for unemployed graduates and small and medium enterprise (SME) owners to grant them, as locals, preference whenever employment or development projects become available.
“There are opportunities for training and skills development available at the fishing and tourism industries, whereby participants can become tour guides, for instance, at the newly established //Tsau Khaib Park,’’ she added.
The councillor also said she will, in terms of agriculture projects, concentrate more on aquaponics to supply needed nutrients for plants grown hydroponically from waste gathered at fish farms.
She was, furthermore, of the opinion that one does not necessarily only benefit from the fishing industry through obtaining fishing rights.
“The idea is to promote the establishments of more SMEs who can make use of opportunities of supplying fishing companies with goods and services and furthermore grab opportunities to provide services outsourced,’’ said Ndjaleka.
The former Lüderitz mayor added she was in contact with the youth ministry to assist her office through offering skills enhancement courses for the unemployed youth in Lüderitz and Aus – and furthermore availed starting-up capital to them through projects enabling self-employment and further job creation.
In terms of uncompleted and previous projects, she reasoned it is better to first assess the shortcomings and challenges, and then pave the way forward.
Future projects in the pipeline, according to the councillor, are the upgrading of the poor network infrastructure between Lüderitz and Aus, and also to address the issue of water scarcity problem around the Aus settlement. “These projects can, in turn, provide the much-needed employment for Lüderitz and Aus,’’ she said. Ndjaleka continued they are busy attracting investment to the constituency in terms of setting up ship/vessel repair and maintenance facilities, as well as the much-anticipated fuel-pricing centre.
“Fuel is being shipped through Lüderitz to Walvis Bay- and upon return, charged higher per litre, as in the case of Walvis Bay. If we can set up a Namcor fuel pricing centre locally, we can then also enjoy those lower fuel prices,” she added.
The councillor furthermore raised the concern that this is one of the reasons local fishermen rather relocate to Walvis Bay when receiving fishing quotas, where operational costs are much lower.
She also said setting up a ship/vessel repair and maintenance facilities at the Lüderitz harbour will not only create employment but also lure vessel owners to operate their businesses more from the coastal town. The politician promised she will constantly liaise with the public and private sector as her main stakeholders to build and maintain sound relationships with them as a means of joining hands together for the betterment of the constituency and its residents.
- sklukowski@nepc.com.na