Ongwediva focuses on community development
Over the last three financial years, the Ongwediva Constituency in the Oshana Region has spent N$4 million on community development projects.
The money was used to finance rural job-creation schemes, youth empowerment, women empowerment and educational initiatives for the rural poor.
Constituency councillor Andreas Uutoni told Namibian Sun that the regional budget was heavily affected by the global economic downturn, but they used the little income they received to implement a number of projects aimed at empowering rural communities.
“Many of our people in the villages are trying by all means to earn themselves a living but they are faced with many challenges. Our constituency development committee (CDC) members are hard at work identifying those challenges our people are faced with and make recommendation on how to improve these people's living conditions. The little we get from the regional council is making a difference in these people's lives,” Uutoni said.
“All these were made possible by well-coordinated efforts between the constituency office, the regional council office, the office of the governor, the communities and other stakeholders.”
Of the N$4 million, N$256 000 was used for the construction of 32 toilets, N$150 000 was used for educational purposes, N$135 576 for rural empowerment schemes, N$78 300 for women's empowerment projects and N$51 500 for youth empowerment.
“Our major projects include the construction of agricultural development projects at Ohambungu village to the tune of N$2 million, the formalisation of Omatando in Ongwediva town to the tune of N$900 000, construction of staff accommodation for the constituency office at Ohambungu village, electrification of the Omugongo gwaNamutayi growth point and Oikango village to the tune of N$595 752,” he said.
The constituency also spent N$286 986 on a cash-for-work project during the construction of Ounonge village community hall.
Uutoni said there is a good relationship between the constituency office, regional council and the community, but there is a need for more institutions to come on board to assist the communities.
“If all government ministries, offices and agencies, including the state-owned enterprises, were committed to the improvement of rural people then development would be going on well in our communities. There are many initiatives out there to eradicate poverty and create employment opportunities, but due to lack of funds they are not materialising,” Uutoni said.
He said only one businessperson was assisting the constituency office in helping the poor.
ILENI NANDJATO
The money was used to finance rural job-creation schemes, youth empowerment, women empowerment and educational initiatives for the rural poor.
Constituency councillor Andreas Uutoni told Namibian Sun that the regional budget was heavily affected by the global economic downturn, but they used the little income they received to implement a number of projects aimed at empowering rural communities.
“Many of our people in the villages are trying by all means to earn themselves a living but they are faced with many challenges. Our constituency development committee (CDC) members are hard at work identifying those challenges our people are faced with and make recommendation on how to improve these people's living conditions. The little we get from the regional council is making a difference in these people's lives,” Uutoni said.
“All these were made possible by well-coordinated efforts between the constituency office, the regional council office, the office of the governor, the communities and other stakeholders.”
Of the N$4 million, N$256 000 was used for the construction of 32 toilets, N$150 000 was used for educational purposes, N$135 576 for rural empowerment schemes, N$78 300 for women's empowerment projects and N$51 500 for youth empowerment.
“Our major projects include the construction of agricultural development projects at Ohambungu village to the tune of N$2 million, the formalisation of Omatando in Ongwediva town to the tune of N$900 000, construction of staff accommodation for the constituency office at Ohambungu village, electrification of the Omugongo gwaNamutayi growth point and Oikango village to the tune of N$595 752,” he said.
The constituency also spent N$286 986 on a cash-for-work project during the construction of Ounonge village community hall.
Uutoni said there is a good relationship between the constituency office, regional council and the community, but there is a need for more institutions to come on board to assist the communities.
“If all government ministries, offices and agencies, including the state-owned enterprises, were committed to the improvement of rural people then development would be going on well in our communities. There are many initiatives out there to eradicate poverty and create employment opportunities, but due to lack of funds they are not materialising,” Uutoni said.
He said only one businessperson was assisting the constituency office in helping the poor.
ILENI NANDJATO
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