Windhoek Express

Drought, foot-and-mouth disease, veld fires, human-wildlife conflict, teenage pregnancies, gender-based violence, youth unemployment, and lack of adequate infrastructure in the energy, water and transport sectors are the main challenges facing the Kavango East
Region.
Kavango East Regional Governor Samuel Mbambo said in his state of the region address on 27 May that N$328 million was budgeted for capital projects in the 2015/16 financial year.
Mbambo said the implementation of government policies and programmes in his region under the fourth National Development Plan (NDP4) and the new Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP) required accountability, transparency and set targets.
“The communities and constituencies we serve require from us to exercise diligence in the way we implement the regional development projects that impact on their lives.
“To strengthen our participatory democracy, first and foremost I note the creation of the constituency (Ndonga-Linena) and the proclamation of Divundu to a village council, which saw its new leadership being elected during the 2015 Regional and Local Authority elections.”
Mbambo said the major projects in the region was the construction of 31 houses at Ndiyona settlement under the Build Together programme at a cost of cost of N$13 million. A 700-metre access road and sewerage system were constructed at a cost of N$1.4 million.
The construction of the new constituency office at Ndonga-Linena cost N$10 million, while the Divundu Civic building (village council office) and reticulation system cost N$14 million. Over 300 households in Rundu have been connected to the sewer network.
Under the Regional Directorate of Education, Mbombo noted the construction of classrooms, teachers’ houses and ablution facilities at various schools. The maintenance of water, power systems and facilities at schools was carried out by the Department of Works.
At the local authority level, the Dr Romanus Kampungu road was tarred. Electricity networks were extended to the five formalised areas of Kaisosi, Kehemu, Sauyemwa, Ndama and Kasote. Water pipelines were provided for Ndama and Sikanduko.
The construction of houses at the newly established township extensions of Kehesosi is ongoing, while their new fire station has been completed.
Completed and ongoing construction projects of various ministries:
·Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry - veterinary clinic offices, Ndiyona and Mukwe constituencies forestry offices, technology centre, abattoir, regional administration office block, Uvhungu-vhungu dairy farm. During the period under review the ministry also provided a water pipeline from Shamvhura to Korokoko villages;
·Ministry of Health and Social Services – maternity ward;
·Ministry of Youth, Sport and National Service - extension of the multi-purpose centre;
·Ministry of Land Reform - regional administrative office;
·Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development - phase two of the Trade Fair and SME centre;
·Ministry of Information and Communication Technology - regional office block;
·Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources - regional administrative office;
·Ministry of Environment and Tourism - Khaudum and Shikerete park management stations; and
·Ministry of Safety and Security - Omega One police station, Kashipe and Mushangara border posts.


There were other notable achievements by government agencies and state-owned enterprises, such as:
·Unam - construction of science lab, lecture theatres, gym, renovation of teaching and learning infrastructures, construction of new parking space;
·RVTC - construction of new workshop, renovation of the dining hall and construction of new parking space;
·Namwater - construction of bulk water system at Divundu; and
·MVA Fund - new regional administrative office.



ILENI NANDJATO