Kamanjab constituency councillor Nicodemus Amutenya says applicants seeking jobs linked to the Kamanjab-Fransfontein road construction project must submit copies of their voter cards to help ensure local residents benefit from the project.

The requirement follows concerns that some residents of Fransfontein and surrounding areas have been overlooked during recruitment for the road construction project.

"The office requires applicants to attach a voter card when submitting their applications," Amutenya said on Thursday.

"Upon request from the contractor, names are submitted to the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation, which then liaises with the contractor regarding recruitment," he explained.

Amutenya said this measure is intended to identify local applicants and promote community participation in employment opportunities arising from the project.

The councillor described unemployment in the constituency as one of the area's biggest challenges.

He said the constituency office has received more than 1 000 CVs since August last year for positions linked to the project.

He said the volume of applications highlights the scale of unemployment in the area, although many applicants are from other parts of the country.

"Yes, unemployment is a great concern for the office. Our aim as government, through the Swapo Party under the leadership of President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, is to eradicate poverty among Namibians. We should not have many people living in poverty," he said.

Around 20 people are currently employed on the road construction project, Amutenya said.

Of these, 12 work at Fransfontein, while another 10 are employed by the road construction company in Kamanjab.

Desperate for jobs

The influx of job seekers has also created pressure on local housing, with Amutenya saying demand continues to grow.

"Kamanjab is a central town and a gateway to many tourism destinations, and people see opportunities here for a better life."

According to the 2023 Population and Housing Census, the Kamanjab constituency has a population of approximately 11 349 people. The 15 to 64 age group accounts for 63.4% of the population, while the constituency has 3,460 households.

The Kamanjab-Fransfontein road forms part of the N$1.3 billion upgrade of the 105-kilometre gravel road between Khorixas and Kamanjab.

Once completed, the project is expected to improve connectivity and road safety in the Kunene region. The road was originally constructed 64 years ago.