‘Very accurate’ census must guide development – councillor

Kapako constituency councillor Augustinus Kupembona has criticised a lack of government action on census data that accurately portrays Kavango West’s widespread poverty and other social challenges.

Kupembona said government officials should plan according to existing national census data to determine where resources and services are needed, rather than repeatedly asking the region to identify its priorities.

“Whenever they report from the Namibia Statistics Agency (NSA), it is very accurate. They pick Kavango West region very well, and it is the poorest,” he said.

“If you go to that report, you will find this poverty and what is lacking in every sector, and still officials are travelling to come and ask us what needs to be prioritised again.”

Kupembona made the remarks during an engagement with deputy health and social services minister Hambelela Suzan Ndjaleka in Nkurenkuru on Friday.

He cited a health facility in Kapako constituency as an example of planning that does not adequately reflect communities’ needs.

According to Kupembona, about 15 toilets were constructed at the facility, while the consultation room from which nurses provide services measures roughly two metres by two metres.

“We are appealing for the upgrading of that hospital. Even if it means we have to demolish those toilets to become rooms, let's do it,” he said.

The toilets were donated, he said, but questioned why they had been approved when the facility needed additional and larger consultation rooms.

“But even if my child who is working in Windhoek wants to give me something, they must ask me what I need. They cannot just bring something and I must keep it,” he said.

“How can those toilets arrive there in Kapako? Where are the health officials to actually suggest what's really needed?"

The councillor also raised concerns about access to healthcare in his vast constituency, saying smaller health posts could serve remote communities.

Kapako constituency has 27 823 inhabitants, more than the region’s capital, Nkurenkuru, where 15 887 people live.

Kupembona said he had written to the health ministry requesting a health post but was informed there was no money for construction. The ministry indicated it could deploy staff if funding was secured elsewhere.

Kupembona questioned whether the ministry would have enough personnel, citing the Kapako clinic, where only one nurse is on duty.

“I am now afraid that even if a donor agrees to assist us with the construction of a health post, will the ministry of health manage to deploy a nurse there?” he asked.

He also cautioned against transporting more critically ill patients to Rundu Intermediate Hospital, arguing that health facilities there were already under pressure.

“Rundu is already full,” he said.

Kupembona pointed out that ambulances struggle to reach communities because of a lack of roads.

“There is no tar road in Kapako. Since independence, there is no road,” he said.

His concerns come amid limited funding facing the region. Last month, Kavango West Regional Council chairperson Fillipus Tenga revealed that the council could be left with just N$2 million for other operational expenses in 2026/27 after personnel costs consume N$47.8 million of its N$50 million government subsidy.

Always a battle

Tondoro constituency councillor Joseph Sikingo echoed Kupembona’s concerns, saying Kavango West leaders have historically had to fight for projects to be implemented in the region.

Sikingo said he has been part of the system since 2004 and could not recall a project that proceeded smoothly without the region having to push for it.

“I haven't seen a project that went smoothly without the region to fight for it,” he said.

Referring to the proposed Nkurenkuru District Hospital, Sikingo said residents were still questioning what happened after the project’s groundbreaking in 2014.

He said even when funding becomes available, questions about why projects stall after being announced remain.

“If the project starts, let it move as it moves in other regions,” Sikingo said, adding that regional leaders are tired of having to fight for projects.