By Surihe Gaomas NKURENKURU “I appeal to you to vote for development by voting for the SWAPO Party, and not for destruction. Vote SWAPO for progress and continued peace in this country. Vote for unity and security for our country as a whole, and for the Kavango Region in particular.” These were the words of President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Vice-President of the Swapo Party when he addressed a crowd of close to 1ÃÆ’Æ‘ÀÃ…ÃÆ”šÃ‚ 500 residents who attended the SWAPO Star Rally at Nkurenkuru in the Kavango Region on Sunday. The Swapo political campaign comes in the wake of local authority elections at Nkurenkuru where the settlement has been proclaimed a new town. The elections are slated for March 23rd. Taking a swipe at the Opposition for misleading the people, Pohamba said that people should vote for the SWAPO Party for progress and development. “These people (opposition parties) don’t learn. If they bring sausages and boerewors, they will be voted. They did that in 1989, but it is not easy to be bought with food. They (voters) feel SWAPO will bring development and that is the party for the last 16 years,” said Pohamba to an applause from the crowd dressed in the party colours. “Don’t vote for those who will come and destroy what the party has put up,” added Pohamba. The Head of State introduced the seven Swapo candidates to the crowd, adding that they had been appointed by the party as suitable representatives to run the Local Authority of the newly-proclaimed town of Nkurenkuru. “As you go to the polls, the choice for your Local Authority councillors for this town is clear. SWAPO Party has fielded strong candidates who are proven as strong and effective community leaders,” said Pohamba. The seven candidates are Ausiku Hausiku, Thomas Ngoma, Hendrina Naingwendje, Mirjam Sikwaya, Beatha Kaliketu, Katrina Hamukwaya and Erastus Kandjimi – who all originate from Nkurenkuru. The Head of State talked about the achievements the SWAPO Party government has made over the past 17 years. As a full-fledged town, Nkurenkuru is set to reap more benefits under the current government as numerous projects and development have already started. This started off seven years ago with the surveying of Nkurenkuru Township and the design of electricity, water and sewerage services again in 2002. Construction of the water reticulation network and oxidation ponds was completed in 2003 at a cost of N$1,6-million. “Our SWAPO Party government availed these funds in the belief that the availability of these crucial services would contribute to the health of our people and the overall improvement of the living standards of the residents of Nkurenkuru and surrounding areas,” said Pohamba. In 2004, erven totalling 145 were serviced and provided with services like water connection points as well as sewerage reticulation. The sewerage reticulation pump station was built at a cost of N$3-million. In terms of health in the Kavango Region, government also renovated and upgraded the Old Barasoni and Bagani clinics as well as the four main hospitals of Nyangana, Nankudu, Rundu and Andara. Sustainable aquaculture also plays a critical role in the development of the Kavango Region where government established projects at Karovo, Shipapo, Mbambangandu and at Mpungu. All these projects are said to be progressing well. A Fisheries Research Station is being constructed at Kamutjonga which will be used for research and the development of inland and fresh-water fisheries in the whole country. Having waited for the Nkurenkuru-Rundu Road ever since 1992, the Head of State thanked the people of Nkurenkuru for their patience and reassured them that construction of the road would start in earnest before the end of this year. “The time you have waited for so long was the time for preparation. The preparation has been completed now and, while I do not have the exact date when they will start – before the end of this year – you’ll be able to see people busy on the road between Rundu and Nkurenkuru. This road does not end at Nkurenkuru, but will proceed to Mpungu, Ekongo and Eenhana in the Ohangwena Region. “We have to move on a better road, and this is going to happen,” reassured the Head of State to the applause of the crowd. Other plans in the pipeline for the new town are the construction of a bridge between Kavango and Cuando Cubango in order to facilitate the communication by people between the two regions.