KEETMANSHOOP – Urban and Rural Development minister Erastus Uutoni said more efforts should be put in place to develop rural areas, as failing to do so will increase the migration of those citizens to urban areas.
He made this call to public and private sector stakeholders attending a Rural Development Annual Progress Review and Planning Workshop in Keetmanshoop recently.
Chief regional officers, regional council chairpersons, members from government offices and agencies as well as other related local and international stakeholders attended the event.
“As you are aware, our country is experiencing a devastating
drought, which is threatening the livelihoods of communities, especially in rural areas, where some of our people are losing their sources of income and survival. They are in urgent need of help in the form of basic needs of food and access to water,” Uutoni said.
He continued: “I want us to collectively reflect deeply on the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of our interventions and remedial measures in rural areas.”
He urged those present and entrusted with food distribution at the regional level to ensure nobody who qualifies for food relief is left out. “In the long-term, we must develop and implement innovative programmes that reduce the community’s exposure and vulnerability to drought, and increase resilience,” said the politician.
He also underscored the importance of providing a supportive environment for entrepreneurship at the regional level to create jobs and other opportunities for meaningful development.
Referring to the scarcity of resources, he advised those in control of it to prioritise needs, and optimally use the limited resources at their disposal, “thus do more with less.”
Uutoni expressed hope that the decisions and commitments made during the workshop would reverberate beyond the gathering, and profoundly impact people’s livelihoods.
“Let us strengthen our partnerships, leverage on innovative approaches, and advance the shared vision of sustainable rural transformation that will propel rural areas towards a future of prosperity and sustainable development,” he said.
Adding her input to the discourse,
//Kharas governor Aletha Frederick said it is commendable that the gathering represents a vital opportunity for the respective stakeholders to collectively reflect on their rural development initiatives, assess their progress, share their achievements, confront the challenges they are facing, and strategise corrective measures, moving forward.
“As we know, development in rural areas is not merely a goal but a necessity. The rural economy is not just a peripheral aspect of our national development; it is a cornerstone
that supports the livelihoods of thousands, and contributes significantly to our overall economic growth,” she said, continuing that such efforts play a critical role in mitigating rural-urban migration.
“By creating sustainable livelihoods in rural areas, we can encourage individuals to remain within their communities rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere,” she emphasised.
The politician said it is equally important to establish robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to assess the effectiveness of initiatives continuously. “I would like to express my sincere hope that the objectives of this workshop are met through fruitful engagements and collaborative efforts among all participating institutions,” the governor said.
In welcoming those present to the town, mayor McDonald Hanse said the presence of all stakeholders at the event is a testament to their dedication to improving the lives of rural communities.
“This workshop serves as a platform to review progress, share ideas and collaborate on solutions that will have a lasting impact on the future of our country’s rural areas,” he said.