Oshana governor, Hofni Iipinge, has called for the extension of the Etaka Canal to reach Lake Oponona to support irrigation and livestock farming in the southern parts of the region.
He also urged the operationalisation of local abattoirs and support for farmers to boost agricultural productivity and promote value addition to regional produce.
Iipinge stressed the need to accelerate capital projects and development programmes to stimulate economic growth and job creation.
He said the region should prioritise the implementation of the revised compensation policy to improve land delivery through adequate funding for compensation and land servicing at the local authority level.
He also recommended continued support and upgrading of vocational training institutions such as KAYEC, COSDEC, and VTCs to equip youth with technical skills required by the labour market.
Iipinge further called for a review of the region’s education curricula at all levels, aligning them with Namibia’s natural resource sectors to create more employment opportunities.
During the year under review, the office of the prime minister supported 18 784 food-insecure households in Oshana with monthly food assistance under the government’s drought relief programme. The Oshana Regional Council also procured food for drought-affected households at a cost of N$991 774.
The ministry of environment, forestry and tourism contributed to drought relief efforts by allocating three elephants to provide meat for beneficiaries. The elephants were hunted in the Iipumbu ya Tshilongo Conservancy and distributed through the programme. The ministry also facilitated trophy hunting in the conservancy, generating N$408 360 for community members.
The ministry prioritised forest management through the clearing of cutlines to prevent veld fires and the production of seedlings. A total of 4 995 seedlings were produced, and N$353 606 was spent on clearing cutlines.
The division of gender equality and social welfare supported 33 026 children with social grants valued at N$12.8 million. Early childhood development centres also received subsidies worth N$3.7 million.
The ministry of agriculture, water and land reform, through the Dry Land Crop Production Programme, subsidised 13 798 farmers with ploughing services, seeds, and fertilisers at a cost of N$4 million.
Through the Poultry Value Chain Development Scheme, the ministry supported 81 poultry producers at a cost of N$515 802. Under the National Horticulture Support Programme and Value Chain Development, 115 beneficiaries received assistance valued at N$932 464.
Caption
The Etaka Canal must be extended to reach Lake Oponona, says Oshana governor, Hofni Iipinge.
- Photo: Contributed
