Land, GBV tops Oshana's agenda
Demand for decent shelter rises
The Oshana region has reported a total of 489 GBV cases and 75 rape cases during the financial year 2021/22.
Oshana governor Elia Irimari said the region will deliver 1 459 plots for the current financial year to address the shortage of affordable housing as the demand for decent shelter continues to escalate.
The government said the lack of housing has become a “worrisome” situation for the regional leadership.
He made the remarks during his state of the region address on Wednesday. Irimari said the high demand for residential and business properties is a result of urbanisation.
The governor added that local authorities in the region are planning and establishing new townships.
“Significant progress is being made by the three town councils to service more land in the region in order to avail land for housing development,” he said.
Development progress
Irimari said there were 23 proclaimed townships in Ondangwa at the end of the previous financial year, while two townships are on the cards for Ongwediva and five for Oshakati.
Irimari said during the period under review, the Oshana regional council had a budget of N$4 million to fund the construction of municipal services at Uukwangula and Eheke settlements.
Meanwhile, the urban ministry allocated close to N$2 million to the Oshana council for rural development programmes.
“The regional council focused its efforts on improving sanitation and water provision in rural areas where sanitation remains a challenge. Thus, the region constructed 70 toilets in all constituencies at a cost N$624 251.82,” he highlighted.
In Ongwediva, a total budget of N$33.3 million for urban infrastructure development was provided for, while the Oshakati made a provision of N$92.1 million during the period under review.
The governor said that Ondangwa town council also prioritised land servicing in order to make land available for both residential and business property development.
“A budget of N$28 million was dedicated to land servicing at Onguta extension 25, 26, 28 and Onantsi area,” Irimari said.
Violent pandemic
But while the regional leadership is dealing with the housing crisis, gender-based violence (GBV) is threatening to spiral out of control.
The increasing number of GBV and rape cases in the region are a great concern, Irimari admitted.
He said as a result, the community should join hands with the police to root out all evil “if we are to live in a crime free environment”.
Official regional statistics indicate that the region reported a total of 489 GBV cases and 75 rape cases during the financial year 2021/22.
“Violence against women continues to escalate unabated in the region which is worrisome,” the governor said.
Irimari said while he recognises the efforts being made by law enforcement agencies, the community must do its part by reporting crime on time and agreeing to testify in cases.
He urged all stakeholders to assist the police in ending violence against women and children in the region.
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The government said the lack of housing has become a “worrisome” situation for the regional leadership.
He made the remarks during his state of the region address on Wednesday. Irimari said the high demand for residential and business properties is a result of urbanisation.
The governor added that local authorities in the region are planning and establishing new townships.
“Significant progress is being made by the three town councils to service more land in the region in order to avail land for housing development,” he said.
Development progress
Irimari said there were 23 proclaimed townships in Ondangwa at the end of the previous financial year, while two townships are on the cards for Ongwediva and five for Oshakati.
Irimari said during the period under review, the Oshana regional council had a budget of N$4 million to fund the construction of municipal services at Uukwangula and Eheke settlements.
Meanwhile, the urban ministry allocated close to N$2 million to the Oshana council for rural development programmes.
“The regional council focused its efforts on improving sanitation and water provision in rural areas where sanitation remains a challenge. Thus, the region constructed 70 toilets in all constituencies at a cost N$624 251.82,” he highlighted.
In Ongwediva, a total budget of N$33.3 million for urban infrastructure development was provided for, while the Oshakati made a provision of N$92.1 million during the period under review.
The governor said that Ondangwa town council also prioritised land servicing in order to make land available for both residential and business property development.
“A budget of N$28 million was dedicated to land servicing at Onguta extension 25, 26, 28 and Onantsi area,” Irimari said.
Violent pandemic
But while the regional leadership is dealing with the housing crisis, gender-based violence (GBV) is threatening to spiral out of control.
The increasing number of GBV and rape cases in the region are a great concern, Irimari admitted.
He said as a result, the community should join hands with the police to root out all evil “if we are to live in a crime free environment”.
Official regional statistics indicate that the region reported a total of 489 GBV cases and 75 rape cases during the financial year 2021/22.
“Violence against women continues to escalate unabated in the region which is worrisome,” the governor said.
Irimari said while he recognises the efforts being made by law enforcement agencies, the community must do its part by reporting crime on time and agreeing to testify in cases.
He urged all stakeholders to assist the police in ending violence against women and children in the region.
[email protected]
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