OMAHEKE governor Festus Ueitele has called on residents of the region to complement the efforts of his office in bringing development to its people.
Making his maiden State of the Region address on Tuesday, he said while the regional government commits itself to doing all in its power to address underdevelopment in the region, it cannot do it alone.
The governor therefore called on residents to set up income-generating activities and other means to diversify the region’s earning potential.
“I make no pretence that I hold the magic wand that will solve all problems in Omaheke. What I promise is to always do right by you, to tell you the truth at all times, to carry you along, and most importantly, to listen to you, fellow citizens in our community.”
Omaheke is at the bottom of the country’s literacy table, and faces huge developmental challenges that have made employment creation and economic advancement an insurmountable feat for its regional leadership.
According to figures contained in the 2011 National Housing and Population Census, only 66% of a population of 68 039 are literate, making Omaheke the region with the lowest literacy rate in the country.
Omaheke is currently the third poorest of the 14 regions, a worrying trend given that 70% of Namibia’s meat export comes from the region.
Records from the Namibia Statistics Agency show that Omaheke draws over 64% of its livelihood from agriculture, forestry and fishing, with the livestock sector being the main economic driver.
The fact that the region has only one major economic centre in Gobabis – its regional capital – has added to the woes of the local authority as it struggles to provide decent accommodation and services to its swelling population.
The rural population also remains high as most people, other than those who migrate to urban centres, prefer to live in the rural areas.
The census places those living in urban centres at a mere 28%, while the bulk of the region’s inhabitants (72%) live in rural areas.
Ueitele called for proper coordination of services and programmes in the region in efforts to address poverty.
“In its coordinating role, my office provides clear leadership in the ongoing efforts to bolster economic growth and thereby accelerate the creation of wealth, the creation of new employment opportunities and the overall socio-economic development of our society,” he noted.
The State of the Region address is a summary of the regional government’s programmes and activities, and provides updates on these programmes.
It is delivered once a year by the regional governor, usually shortly after the President’s State of the Nation address. – Nampa
