Erongo region 'too rich to be poor'
Erongo governor Nathalia /Goagoses says the region has abundant natural and economic resources to ensure that none of its residents should live in poverty.
“We are too few to be poor. Erongo is too rich to be poor," she said while delivering her first state of the region address in Swakopmund on Wednesday.
She was addressing regional, local and traditional leaders, as well as public and civil society stakeholders, in a wide-ranging address focused on Erongo’s economic condition, governance, development outlook and persistent social challenges.
The governor acknowledged the region’s economic weight, anchored by mining, fishing, tourism and trade, but warned that uneven access to basic services, skills and infrastructure continues to hold communities back.
“There is no room for complacency,” she warned.
Improved infrastructure
Water scarcity, especially in rural areas, was highlighted as a top concern. Upgrades to pipeline infrastructure, including N$50 million for Okombahe and N$8 million for Uis, are expected to reduce dependence on coastal treatment plants.
“I cannot come back next year and say water is a challenge. I must report what has been done,” /Goagoses said.
The governor reported that Erongo’s population now exceeds 240 000 across seven constituencies and called for strengthened coordination across all levels of government. In housing, she confirmed 200 low-cost homes will be handed over in Arandis by September, with additional erven serviced elsewhere.
On infrastructure, she reported N$140 million in ongoing road upgrades and over N$200 million in electricity connections by ErongoRED. School construction, hospital renovations, and new police stations were also underway.
Backbone of the community
Mining remains the backbone of Erongo’s economy, with nine of Namibia’s 26 mines located in the region.
The sector directly employed nearly 8 000 people in 2024 and recorded increased investment. Corporate social responsibility spending by mining companies exceeded N$80 million, but /Goagoses said this must be better managed.
“We must avoid duplication. We need to know which communities are actually benefitting,” she pointed out.
Tourism has begun to recover, with 381 operators active in the region and 36 000 cruise ship passengers visiting during the past year.
Boost education
Education, however, was flagged as a concern. The governor said Erongo could no longer be called the “region of excellence” until results improved across all constituencies.
“Until we see the results, I will suspend that title,” she said.
Technical and vocational education is being expanded, with over 1 000 youth currently enrolled in trades at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) and community training centres. A previously unused training facility in Arandis is now being revived to support green hydrogen skills development.
The governor also called for data-driven strategies to tackle youth unemployment, which she said could not be addressed with vague regional estimates.
“Don’t tell me 32%. I want to know, constituency by constituency.”
The address concluded with a strong appeal for ethical leadership, transparency and performance at all levels of governance.
“Good governance is about quality service delivery, financial prudence and accountability,” she said.
“We are too few to be poor. Erongo is too rich to be poor," she said while delivering her first state of the region address in Swakopmund on Wednesday.
She was addressing regional, local and traditional leaders, as well as public and civil society stakeholders, in a wide-ranging address focused on Erongo’s economic condition, governance, development outlook and persistent social challenges.
The governor acknowledged the region’s economic weight, anchored by mining, fishing, tourism and trade, but warned that uneven access to basic services, skills and infrastructure continues to hold communities back.
“There is no room for complacency,” she warned.
Improved infrastructure
Water scarcity, especially in rural areas, was highlighted as a top concern. Upgrades to pipeline infrastructure, including N$50 million for Okombahe and N$8 million for Uis, are expected to reduce dependence on coastal treatment plants.
“I cannot come back next year and say water is a challenge. I must report what has been done,” /Goagoses said.
The governor reported that Erongo’s population now exceeds 240 000 across seven constituencies and called for strengthened coordination across all levels of government. In housing, she confirmed 200 low-cost homes will be handed over in Arandis by September, with additional erven serviced elsewhere.
On infrastructure, she reported N$140 million in ongoing road upgrades and over N$200 million in electricity connections by ErongoRED. School construction, hospital renovations, and new police stations were also underway.
Backbone of the community
Mining remains the backbone of Erongo’s economy, with nine of Namibia’s 26 mines located in the region.
The sector directly employed nearly 8 000 people in 2024 and recorded increased investment. Corporate social responsibility spending by mining companies exceeded N$80 million, but /Goagoses said this must be better managed.
“We must avoid duplication. We need to know which communities are actually benefitting,” she pointed out.
Tourism has begun to recover, with 381 operators active in the region and 36 000 cruise ship passengers visiting during the past year.
Boost education
Education, however, was flagged as a concern. The governor said Erongo could no longer be called the “region of excellence” until results improved across all constituencies.
“Until we see the results, I will suspend that title,” she said.
Technical and vocational education is being expanded, with over 1 000 youth currently enrolled in trades at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology (NIMT) and community training centres. A previously unused training facility in Arandis is now being revived to support green hydrogen skills development.
The governor also called for data-driven strategies to tackle youth unemployment, which she said could not be addressed with vague regional estimates.
“Don’t tell me 32%. I want to know, constituency by constituency.”
The address concluded with a strong appeal for ethical leadership, transparency and performance at all levels of governance.
“Good governance is about quality service delivery, financial prudence and accountability,” she said.
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article