Omaheke governor urges traditional authority cooperation

Omaheke region governor Pijoo Nganate today detailed significant developments in land acquisition, water infrastructure and community upliftment in the region, while also acknowledging persistent challenges facing communal land governance.During his state of the region address delivered today, the governor said the region&#039;s lands division acquired four farms amounting to 46 512 hectares at a cost of N$94 million.Moreover, 22 boreholes were drilled, with 17 fully installed under the emergency drought programme.Water infrastructure projects were also rolled out in four communal areas, at a cost of over N$21 million.Meanwhile, nine resettlement beneficiaries have been allocated land on Farms Fiesta and Willem’s Rest.Two additional land units have also been reserved for farmers in the Witvlei, Gobabis and Chaka corridors, the governor said.A consultative meeting with the affected farmers is scheduled, after which the governor plans to formally engage the relevant line ministry.“It does not make sense to take ten people and put them on one unit,” he noted, stressing the need for practical land allocation strategies.Regional challengesNganate also raised concerns about illegal fencing in communal areas, low application rates for occupational land rights and lack of coordination among traditional authorities, which continue to spark disputes.He pointed to unresolved leadership tensions in Otjinene and Goreses, and called for peaceful coexistence among the region’s communities.Looking ahead, the governor proposed several key interventions to address ongoing land governance challenges in the region.These include the enforcement of memorandums of understanding among traditional authorities to ensure coordinated and fair land allocation, the implementation of quarterly awareness campaigns to educate communities about the Communal Land Reform Act, and the formation of joint committees dedicated to resolving land disputes.Successes notedOn a positive note, the governor said the region&#039;s gender equality and child care protection office made progress, upgrading two diesel-powered boreholes to solar-powered systems at a cost of N$1.3 million.Moreover, the Mbagathi community garden was successfully established in Corridor 21. Additionally, new boreholes were installed at Epukiro 3 and Erindinooukambe, costing N$250 000 each.Additionally, the governor said more than 80 boreholes were drilled, cleaned, rehabilitated and equipped, ensuring reliable access to water across the region.

Omaheke governor urges traditional authority cooperation

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-23

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Omaheke governor urges traditional authority cooperation

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Namibian Sun 2025-10-23

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