Endjala delivers his SORA

Omusati Governor Erginus Endjala on Friday delivered his State of the Region Address (SORA) enlightening the nation on what’s happening in the region.
Endjala’s hour-long speech touched on many aspects which were later criticised by some who attended who told Namibian Sun that the SORA was a waste of their time adding that the nation was misled with too much information.
The critics made reference to the fact that members of the community were not given a chance to air their views as only councillors were permitted to do so.
“The councillors are the ones who gave him the information he presented to us and they are the ones asking questions again and they are all Swapo Party members. Talking of double standards,” one attendee charged. Another attendee, a resident from Okalongo, accused the governor of misleading the nation when he said a total of 542 plots were serviced, saying that there are no serviced plots in Okalongo settlement and questioning the credibility of the source who informed the governor.
Endjala said during the financial year 2015/2016 close to N$1.5 billion was spent by the government through its line ministries before stating that the SORA was not a 100% true reflection on the activities happening in the region as some ministries and agencies did not provide information on time.
Although Endjala expressed satisfaction with many of the projects in the different sectors, the governor did not shy away to mention the lack of qualified personnel in the different sectors holding both community members and government responsible for the failures experienced in the various sectors.
“Despite rendered services, the health sector faces numerous challenges such as the shortage of medical personnel, lack of electricity and staff accommodation and staff accommodation in remote areas and portable water at some health facilities,” he said. He said numerous challenges do exist in the education fraternity such as the lack of accommodation for personnel, the shortage of qualified personnel, science laboratories and the unavailability of electricity at schools in remote areas.
“It is also saddening to state that the construction of medical facilities takes too long to complete,” he said.
Endjala said the high failure rate in grade 12 National Senior Secondary Certificate (NSSC) examinations is worrisome adding that it is high time for the region to devise mechanisms to improve the results.
Talking on the issue of people with disabilities Endjala said it is disturbing to have learnt that 15 000 people in Omusati Region are living with disabilities topping all the regions urging that the line ministry to do a study on what the root causes are before he stated that parents who don’t take their children for polio treatment could be one of the causes of children becoming disabled.
Endjala praised the attraction of foreign retailers such as Shoprite, Pick n Pay and Woermann Brock outlets to the various towns in the region saying that they provide services to the people but also called captains of industry to join hands and sell local products to the people.
Endjala further called on the residents to invest their services in making sure the region thrives when it comes to development and not wait on others to do it for them.
“We must clearly understand that no one else shall develop Omusati Region it is upon all of us.
“I have the confidence in your capabilities and eagerness, let us pull together, coordinate and remain focus in executing these noble ideas,” Enjala concluded.
KENYA KAMBOWE