Acting Governor Loth Kuushomwa said the survey aims at understanding citizens' perceptions and expectations of public participation and involvement in public affairs.

He said the findings of the survey would be used to establish relevant and efficient public participation mechanisms to be managed by the Regional Council and local authorities in order to improve their relationship with citizens.

The survey was also aimed at understanding people's knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and perceptions of decentralisation and the role of regional and local authorities.

Technical and financial support for the survey is provided by the French and Finnish governments.

About 20 surveyors from ten constituencies of the Oshana Region, plus additional surveyors for Ongwediva and Ondangwa, will be trained from September 25 to 29, said Boas Munalye, the chairperson of the steering committee on the regional survey.

He said selected households would be interviewed between October 2 and 13.

Munalye said a pilot survey was conducted in the Khomas Region last year and the results were encouraging.

Similar surveys will be done in the other regions.

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