N$320m spent on jobs, homes and rural development in Khomas
More than N$320 million has been invested in key development programmes in the Khomas region over the past year, targeting unemployment, hunger, housing and sanitation.
Delivering his State of the Region Address recently, Khomas governor Sam Nujoma said the region's unemployment rate stands at 44.4%. This has prompted targeted interventions through the regional council’s income-generating activities programme under which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are assisted with equipment and materials, he said.
N$2.5 million was spent supporting 144 SME projects ranging from catering and fashion design to welding, laundry services, and arts and crafts.
Small but important steps
To stimulate rural economies, the governor stated that the council had allocated N$312 million for development projects.
These included micro-financing for small enterprises, food security programmes and the provision of livestock to farmers in rural areas.
“Three projects were supported under the micro-finance scheme, ten under the food security programme, and eight rural farmers received a combined total of 120 goats,” Nujoma said.
Council moreover constructed 194 dry toilets at a cost of N$2.9 million to address sanitation challenges, particularly in rural areas of the region. These initiatives created short-term employment opportunities for 61 individuals in the Windhoek rural constituency, the governor said.
In response to the region’s housing shortage, the Khomas Regional Council contributed to the construction of low-cost houses under the informal settlement upgrading pilot project.
Additionally, government approved N$3 million for the construction of the /Khomanin Traditional Authority office.
“These are small but significant steps towards improving living conditions for our communities,” said Nujoma.
Safety nets
Under its Winter Safety Net Programme, council allocated N$500 000 to provide blankets and warm clothing to approximately 1 100 vulnerable persons.
A similar amount was spent on assisting 411 learners with school uniforms and stationery under the Back to School Programme.
Nujoma also highlighted the Office of the Prime Minister’s interventions, including drought relief initiatives in rural areas.
This included food support for 5 547 households and livestock marketing incentives worth N$3.6 million.
Furthermore, through collaboration with the Windhoek municipal council, a range of youth-focused initiatives were also implemented, including finalising the sports and recreational facilities masterplan, supporting orphans and vulnerable children, and vocational training initiatives.
“A total of 3 565 orphans and vulnerable persons were supported directly and indirectly through activities such as soup kitchens, skills development in sewing and gardening, case management at Katutura Old Age Home, and girls’ mentorship,” said the governor.
Likewise, 538 aspiring entrepreneurs were trained under the youth business training programme, while 700 graduates were placed through the internship and graduate programme.
Delivering his State of the Region Address recently, Khomas governor Sam Nujoma said the region's unemployment rate stands at 44.4%. This has prompted targeted interventions through the regional council’s income-generating activities programme under which small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are assisted with equipment and materials, he said.
N$2.5 million was spent supporting 144 SME projects ranging from catering and fashion design to welding, laundry services, and arts and crafts.
Small but important steps
To stimulate rural economies, the governor stated that the council had allocated N$312 million for development projects.
These included micro-financing for small enterprises, food security programmes and the provision of livestock to farmers in rural areas.
“Three projects were supported under the micro-finance scheme, ten under the food security programme, and eight rural farmers received a combined total of 120 goats,” Nujoma said.
Council moreover constructed 194 dry toilets at a cost of N$2.9 million to address sanitation challenges, particularly in rural areas of the region. These initiatives created short-term employment opportunities for 61 individuals in the Windhoek rural constituency, the governor said.
In response to the region’s housing shortage, the Khomas Regional Council contributed to the construction of low-cost houses under the informal settlement upgrading pilot project.
Additionally, government approved N$3 million for the construction of the /Khomanin Traditional Authority office.
“These are small but significant steps towards improving living conditions for our communities,” said Nujoma.
Safety nets
Under its Winter Safety Net Programme, council allocated N$500 000 to provide blankets and warm clothing to approximately 1 100 vulnerable persons.
A similar amount was spent on assisting 411 learners with school uniforms and stationery under the Back to School Programme.
Nujoma also highlighted the Office of the Prime Minister’s interventions, including drought relief initiatives in rural areas.
This included food support for 5 547 households and livestock marketing incentives worth N$3.6 million.
Furthermore, through collaboration with the Windhoek municipal council, a range of youth-focused initiatives were also implemented, including finalising the sports and recreational facilities masterplan, supporting orphans and vulnerable children, and vocational training initiatives.
“A total of 3 565 orphans and vulnerable persons were supported directly and indirectly through activities such as soup kitchens, skills development in sewing and gardening, case management at Katutura Old Age Home, and girls’ mentorship,” said the governor.
Likewise, 538 aspiring entrepreneurs were trained under the youth business training programme, while 700 graduates were placed through the internship and graduate programme.
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