Oshana youth unemployment at 32%

THE Oshana region is facing several challenges, including high youth unemployment, which stands at 32% and is causing income inequality and poverty among the youth in the region, Oshana governor Elia Irimari says.

The region is also experiencing a number of challenges in the implementation of government programmes and projects, Irimari said in his state of the region address at Oshakati on Thursday.

“The region is also battling the slow implementation of affordable urban land delivery for housing and business development in the region,” Irimari said.

“My office together with our three towns will be spearheading innovative approaches in addressing lack of access to affordable decent houses for ultra-low and low income earners in the region.”

He added that the region is faced with limited operating theatre space, limited capacity at the intensive care unit of Oshakati Intermediate Hospital and limited disease isolation facilities. These challenges are hampering the delivery of quality healthcare services in the region, especially during the outbreak of diseases.

“Limited resources for the implementation of the Oshakati water master plan, limited youth recreational areas and sports facilities in the region and limited access to non-collateral finance by the small and medium enterprises in the region coupled with capacity building challenges are also some of the challenges that the region is faced with,” Irimari said.

He further said despite the current Covid-19 pandemic, Oshana would remain committed to the call to realise prosperity and improve the economic conditions of the people in the region.

Irimari recommended that the government together with the private sector should prioritise and direct government funds to strategic sectors such as agriculture, water technology and road infrastructure that boost growth and industrialisation to address human development and capacity building challenges in the region.

The management of abattoirs also needs to be strengthened to enhance production in the region and promote value addition to local produce, he said.

The governor also said local authorities in the region should develop youth recreational parks and sports facilities that would help with youth development and assist the region to attract world-class sport championships.

Also, it should address infrastructure challenges and expand health facilities to improve the quality of healthcare services offered in the region, address the housing backlog, and replace the current compensation policy guidelines with an act of parliament.

He further called for continued support for vocational institutions in the region.

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