N$165 million for 13 farms
Government spent an average of N$12.6 million per farm to resettle 23 families, the lands minister told his staff.
The lands ministry spent N$165 million on the acquisition of 13 farms measuring 76 272 hectares to resettle landless Namibians during the 2017/18 financial year.
This averages N$12.6 million per farm. The farms benefited 23 families.
This was said by land reform minister Utoni Nujoma in his annual address to ministry staff, in which he outlined the achievements of the ministry's plan for 2019/2020.
He said the ministry surpassed its target of acquiring 32 811 hectares of land and resettling 21 families last year.
According to Nujoma, one farm measuring 8 857 hectares was acquired to extend the Aminuis communal area at a cost of N$23
million.
Furthermore, two farms measuring 7 587 hectares were acquired for the resettlement of Batswana of Namibian descent, at a cost of N$188 million.
“During the same period, at least 37 leasehold agreements were signed with resettlement beneficiaries, surpassing the target of 36 which was planned for the year.”
Nujoma said the ministry maintained 54 boreholes during the year under review. In the Khomas Region, the ministry managed to install pumping systems on four existing boreholes at four farming units, while in the //Karas Region, solar pumping systems were installed at Lubeck-Ost No. 2 unit B and Leekop No. 340 unit B.
In the Oshikoto Region, 16 boreholes were installed with solar pumping systems and in the Otjozondjupa Region, 20 boreholes were rehabilitated with solar infrastructure.
In the Zambezi Region, the ministry monitored progress on the construction of water-supply infrastructure at eight sites in the Kadumu Farmers' Cooperative area. In the Omaheke Region, three farming units were installed with solar pump systems.
“Henceforth, this ministry has to continue playing its role and ensure that financial resources are optimally utilised by ensuring that prudent financial control is applied at all times. Any form of misuse will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly,” Nujoma said.
ELLANIE SMIT
This averages N$12.6 million per farm. The farms benefited 23 families.
This was said by land reform minister Utoni Nujoma in his annual address to ministry staff, in which he outlined the achievements of the ministry's plan for 2019/2020.
He said the ministry surpassed its target of acquiring 32 811 hectares of land and resettling 21 families last year.
According to Nujoma, one farm measuring 8 857 hectares was acquired to extend the Aminuis communal area at a cost of N$23
million.
Furthermore, two farms measuring 7 587 hectares were acquired for the resettlement of Batswana of Namibian descent, at a cost of N$188 million.
“During the same period, at least 37 leasehold agreements were signed with resettlement beneficiaries, surpassing the target of 36 which was planned for the year.”
Nujoma said the ministry maintained 54 boreholes during the year under review. In the Khomas Region, the ministry managed to install pumping systems on four existing boreholes at four farming units, while in the //Karas Region, solar pumping systems were installed at Lubeck-Ost No. 2 unit B and Leekop No. 340 unit B.
In the Oshikoto Region, 16 boreholes were installed with solar pumping systems and in the Otjozondjupa Region, 20 boreholes were rehabilitated with solar infrastructure.
In the Zambezi Region, the ministry monitored progress on the construction of water-supply infrastructure at eight sites in the Kadumu Farmers' Cooperative area. In the Omaheke Region, three farming units were installed with solar pump systems.
“Henceforth, this ministry has to continue playing its role and ensure that financial resources are optimally utilised by ensuring that prudent financial control is applied at all times. Any form of misuse will not be tolerated and will be dealt with accordingly,” Nujoma said.
ELLANIE SMIT
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