Centre changes hands

THE Rural Development Centre at Ongwediva was handed over to the Ministry of Regional and Local Government and Rural Development yesterday.The centre used to fall under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.

Agriculture Permanent Secretary Kahijoro Kahuure said at the handover that Namibians needed to take the initiative in creating wealth. Kahuure said the Rural Development Centre could help turn things around in the Oshana Region.Although the centre could also extend help to other regions, it should remain focused on Oshana, Kahuure said.”There is nothing wrong with extending, but you must be careful with extending as the current resources you have may not allow it,” he said.To avoid Government bureaucracy, the Ministry of Regional and Local Government has contracted Komeho Namibia to administer the centre on its behalf.Accepting the centre, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Erastus Negonga said the facility was an important vehicle in Government’s efforts to improve the livelihood of rural communities in the region and beyond.More than 70 per cent of Namibia’s rural people make a living from agriculture.Kahuure said the Rural Development Centre could help turn things around in the Oshana Region.Although the centre could also extend help to other regions, it should remain focused on Oshana, Kahuure said.”There is nothing wrong with extending, but you must be careful with extending as the current resources you have may not allow it,” he said.To avoid Government bureaucracy, the Ministry of Regional and Local Government has contracted Komeho Namibia to administer the centre on its behalf.Accepting the centre, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary Erastus Negonga said the facility was an important vehicle in Government’s efforts to improve the livelihood of rural communities in the region and beyond.More than 70 per cent of Namibia’s rural people make a living from agriculture.