Dormant Otjiwarongo NCCI branch to be revived

OTJIWARONGO – Leaders of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI) were in Otjiwarongo on Thursday to establish an interim committee that will revive the inactive NCCI branch here.

Theo Mberirua, the NCCI’s second vice-president, said during an information-sharing meeting that it is time to revive the Otjiwarongo branch so that it starts providing services to citizens in Okakarara, Otavi, Grootfontein and Outjo as well.’We are here to revive the Otjiwarongo NCCI branch tonight so that we can turn it into a middle-ground for all the nearby towns in providing services to all our members in the region,’ he said.The Otjiwarongo NCCI branch was founded in 2003, but folded in 2006 after some of its members deserted it for unknown reasons, its interim chairperson Eddy Kgobetsi explained.He said since the Otjozondjupa region has some of the best and most successful farmers as well as mining and manufacturing companies, it is a wise idea to revive the branch for it to support those entities to reach a globally competitive level.There are currently only four paid-up members forming the local NCCI branch.Otjozondjupa regional governor Rapama Kamehozu, who was once a member of the Otjiwarongo NCCI, urged residents of the region who are dreaming to be successful in business, to join the Chamber of Commerce.’I am talking with experience here. For instance, it is easy and cheap for you to go on a business trip or a trade fair in China, Liberia or Zambia or anywhere else in the world with the esteemed team of NCCI, than to go there alone. Therefore, join the NCCI now,’ he said.However, Kamehozu expressed disappointment over the few businesspeople at the meeting.He said all the well-known, committed and hardworking Otjozondjupa business people involved in heavy and light industrial work in the region were not present at the meeting.’Where are they? Were they invited, or not? Even the well-known Orwetoveni business people are not here,’ said the governor.He urged the NCCI to work extra hard in mobilising business people here in joining their regional Chamber of Commerce.The meeting ended with the election of an interim committee, anticipated to drive the Otjiwarongo branch to a satisfactory level.They are Kgobetsi, who is deputised by Lucky Richter, with Miguel Benjamin as office administrator.Other ordinary members are Agatha Mweti, Gaynor Diergaardt, Jackson Hindjou, Gerd Soharada and Obed Kaveterua. – Nampa