Walvis Bay

Governor of the Erongo Region Cleophas Mutjavikua says the olive project that was launched last August at Okombahe is prospering.

Speaking to New Era during a recent interview, Mutjavikua said they want to create a giant olive oil industry at Okombahe that is aimed at poverty reduction through employment creation.

The olive project was initiated alongside two other major projects namely, the date plantation project in Otjimbingwe as well as the green scheme vegetable garden at NamanPost in the Daures Constituency.   

The Erongo Regional Council and the Namsov Community Trust - that each contributed N$500 000 – are funding the projects initiated at a cost of N$1 million. The aim and mission of Namsov Community Trust is to promote the well being of needy people without distinction of race, creed and political conviction.

The olive project is one of the business-orientated initiatives that would in future export products to global markets while at the same time creating much-needed jobs for the rural communities in the Erongo Region, New Era has learnt.

Outlining the aims of the olive project that is being implemented in phases, Mutjavikua said they are carefully executing the project, as they are too scared to make mistakes.  “Too much is riding on the project that is why we want to ensure its success at all cost, even if it means that we will leap frog to make it a reality,” said Mutjavikua.

According to the governor, a lot of work has been carried out at the 20-hectare plantation at the settlement since it was launched. “Drilling of boreholes is currently underway and the planting process will start after the drilling is completed,” he explained.

The governor says these settlements do not have mines that provide jobs and seeing that agriculture plays a vital role in terms of food security and poverty reduction, Erongo is embarking on such projects.