President worried about job prospects for Karas residents

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has expressed concern over why inhabitants are not benefiting from job opportunities in the Karas Region.

“I want to be frank, somewhere something is terribly wrong with regard to job allocations to the region’s inhabitants,” Pohamba said. “The region is endowed with abundant natural resources, yet the people of the region are unemployed,” he added.Pohamba was speaking at a meeting with regional and local authority leaders at Keetmanshoop on Saturday, where he was briefed on developments in the region.The President implored them to look into why local people are overlooked when it comes to job allocation.”What is the root cause of the employment allocation situation, is it discrimination or what are we hiding?”, the President wanted to know.Pohamba said there was unemployment countrywide and the only solution was to train people in skills needed in the job market.”We must take the lead in educating our people,” he urged.The president also spoke out against escalating drug and alcohol abuse nationwide.”The mixture of alcohol and drugs drives people crazy and this results in violent crimes,” Pohamba said.”It would be painful for me to lead a nation of drunkards,” he added.Many of the local leaders highlighted problems such as unemployment and poor sanitation.They said most villages in the region were still using bucket toilets.They said they have succeeded in providing housing for their people through the Build Together programme.In response, Pohamba said sanitation was a necessity and urged the leaders to find ways to solve that problem.He appealed to them not to rely on Government handouts.”The Government must assist those who are assisting themselves,” he remarked.”The region is endowed with abundant natural resources, yet the people of the region are unemployed,” he added.Pohamba was speaking at a meeting with regional and local authority leaders at Keetmanshoop on Saturday, where he was briefed on developments in the region.The President implored them to look into why local people are overlooked when it comes to job allocation. “What is the root cause of the employment allocation situation, is it discrimination or what are we hiding?”, the President wanted to know.Pohamba said there was unemployment countrywide and the only solution was to train people in skills needed in the job market.”We must take the lead in educating our people,” he urged.The president also spoke out against escalating drug and alcohol abuse nationwide.”The mixture of alcohol and drugs drives people crazy and this results in violent crimes,” Pohamba said.”It would be painful for me to lead a nation of drunkards,” he added.Many of the local leaders highlighted problems such as unemployment and poor sanitation.They said most villages in the region were still using bucket toilets.They said they have succeeded in providing housing for their people through the Build Together programme.In response, Pohamba said sanitation was a necessity and urged the leaders to find ways to solve that problem.He appealed to them not to rely on Government handouts.”The Government must assist those who are assisting themselves,” he remarked.