THE NAMIBIAN nation should maintain its unity at all times and guard against division, tribalism, racism and regionalism so that peace could prevail, which was a prerequisite for stability, President Hifikepunye Pohamba urged yesterday.
Delivering his third State of the Nation Address in the National Assembly yesterday afternoon, President Pohamba said: “The maintenance of law and order, peace and security will continue to be one of our primary concerns, because these are preconditions for the realisation of economic prosperity.” The Head of State reflected on progress achieved in the past year, developmental issues, education, the economy, land reform and social issues.”Our commitment to reduce poverty, to create jobs and to facilitate equitable opportunities for all remains central to all Government activities.To give effect to that commitment, education, health and social welfare are prioritised in public spending,” Pohamba told Members of both the National Council and the National Assembly.Government had successfully negotiated with development partners to receive N$870 million for development projects during the current financial year, most of it going to rural development.Pohamba informed the House about progress made in the health sector, with 12 new health facilities constructed in remote areas and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected people now available at all State hospitals countrywide.”A positive change in the attitudes of our people towards HIV-AIDS is that over 90 per cent of all expectant women now agree to be tested for HIV-AIDS when they visit pre-natal clinics.Five years ago only 10 per cent chose to undergo such tests.I therefore congratulate Namibian women for their contribution to the fight against the pandemic in such a practical manner,” the President said to applause from all benches.”Today, 75 per cent of Namibian women who deliver (their babies) at health facilities, know their HIV status, which indicates that our country is slowly but surely shattering the stigma associated with HIV-AIDS infection.”Pohamba mentioned that the shortage of doctors and nurses was also addressed with 19 doctors, 115 registered nurses and 287 enrolled nurses graduating in 2006 and taking up posts in the country’s health system.This year, 17 more doctors, 137 registered nurses and 415 enrolled nurses are expected to graduate.The unhygienic bucket toilet system at southern settlements and Kalkfeld would be replaced with a modern sewerage system and N$20 million as allocated for this purpose.New towns like Omuthiya, Bukalo and Otjinene would be proclaimed over the next three years.The first municipal elections in the new town of Nkurenkuru were held last month.Over 40 villages were connected to the electricity grid in the past 12 months, the President reported, and 180 projects were carried out in rural areas under the Food for Work scheme, from which over 6 000 people benefited.Government would also put aside N$24 million to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs).On education, Pohamba again stated how dissatisfied he was with the pass rates of the 2006 Grade 10 and 12 exams.”The pass rate must improve to at least 90 per cent or better,” Pohamba demanded.”As Government we cannot afford to be oblivious to the voices of many Namibians who are calling for improvements in our education system,” Pohamba added.Pre-primary education was reintegrated into the State education system and the country has from this year its own Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, which will replace the Cambridge exams, he further pointed out.Turning to the land reform process, Pohamba acknowledged that the process was moving at a slow pace, but said under-utilised communal land would be developed.To date, 721 small-scale farming units were subdivided “to be managed on a commercial basis” in the Kavango, Caprivi and Ohangwena Regions, with a similar exercise conducted in the Omusati Region soon.The President then called on all parties dealing with labour relations to ensure a harmonious labour atmosphere, “before greater harm befalls our economy.”Labour tensions were disruptive and hampered productivity.Some companies still failed to register their staff with the Social Security Commission and did not submit affirmative action reports to the Employment Equity Commission.Pohamba reiterated his determination to fight corruption and dishonesty in both the public and the private sector.”I call on the Office of the Prime Minister and the Justice Ministry to facilitate the tabling of legislation to protect whistleblowers,” he said.He was “very concerned” about the crime rate in the country, and it was necessary to strengthen the law-enforcement agencies “and we must make a cultural shift to promote the concept of community policing in order to make our streets and homes safer,” Pohamba stated.”I am honoured to lead a nation whose best hour has yet to come, a people whose greatness and prosperity are achievable,” President Pohamba concluded his 80-minute-long speech.The Head of State reflected on progress achieved in the past year, developmental issues, education, the economy, land reform and social issues.”Our commitment to reduce poverty, to create jobs and to facilitate equitable opportunities for all remains central to all Government activities.To give effect to that commitment, education, health and social welfare are prioritised in public spending,” Pohamba told Members of both the National Council and the National Assembly.Government had successfully negotiated with development partners to receive N$870 million for development projects during the current financial year, most of it going to rural development. Pohamba informed the House about progress made in the health sector, with 12 new health facilities constructed in remote areas and anti-retroviral therapy (ART) for HIV-infected people now available at all State hospitals countrywide.”A positive change in the attitudes of our people towards HIV-AIDS is that over 90 per cent of all expectant women now agree to be tested for HIV-AIDS when they visit pre-natal clinics.Five years ago only 10 per cent chose to undergo such tests.I therefore congratulate Namibian women for their contribution to the fight against the pandemic in such a practical manner,” the President said to applause from all benches.”Today, 75 per cent of Namibian women who deliver (their babies) at health facilities, know their HIV status, which indicates that our country is slowly but surely shattering the stigma associated with HIV-AIDS infection.”Pohamba mentioned that the shortage of doctors and nurses was also addressed with 19 doctors, 115 registered nurses and 287 enrolled nurses graduating in 2006 and taking up posts in the country’s health system.This year, 17 more doctors, 137 registered nurses and 415 enrolled nurses are expected to graduate.The unhygienic bucket toilet system at southern settlements and Kalkfeld would be replaced with a modern sewerage system and N$20 million as allocated for this purpose.New towns like Omuthiya, Bukalo and Otjinene would be proclaimed over the next three years.The first municipal elections in the new town of Nkurenkuru were held last month.Over 40 villages were connected to the electricity grid in the past 12 months, the President reported, and 180 projects were carried out in rural areas under the Food for Work scheme, from which over 6 000 people benefited.Government would also put aside N$24 million to assist small and medium enterprises (SMEs).On education, Pohamba again stated how dissatisfied he was with the pass rates of the 2006 Grade 10 and 12 exams.”The pass rate must improve to at least 90 per cent or better,” Pohamba demanded.”As Government we cannot afford to be oblivious to the voices of many Namibians who are calling for improvements in our education system,” Pohamba added.Pre-primary education was reintegrated into the State education system and the country has from this year its own Namibia Senior Secondary Certificate Examination, which will replace the Cambridge exams, he further pointed out.Turning to the land reform process, Pohamba acknowledged that the process was moving at a slow pace, but said under-utilised communal land would be developed.To date, 721 small-scale farming units were subdivided “to be managed on a commercial basis” in the Kavango, Caprivi and Ohangwena Regions, with a similar exercise conducted in the Omusati Region soon.The President then called on all parties dealing with labour relations to ensure a harmonious labour atmosphere, “before greater harm befalls our economy.”Labour tensions were disruptive and hampered productivity.Some companies still failed to register their staff with the Social Security Commission and did not submit affirmative action reports to the Employment Equity Commission.Pohamba reiterated his determination to fight corruption and dishonesty in both the public and the private sector.”I call on the Office of the Prime Minister and the Justice Ministry to facilitate the tabling of legislation to protect whistleblowers,” he said.He was “very concerned” about the crime rate in the country, and it was necessary to strengthen the law-enforcement agencies “and we must make a cultural shift to promote the concept of community policing in order to make our streets and homes safer,” Pohamba stated.”I am honoured to lead a nation whose best hour has yet to come, a people whose greatness and prosperity are achievable,” President Pohamba concluded his 80-minute-long speech.
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