Namibian Sun

Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua has urged Namibians to stop looking for someone to blame and confront their challenges by trying new and bold things.

“We must be aware as a region, and as a nation, that no difficulty is too great, as long as we are bold enough, try new things and act first rather than being reactors,” the governor said during his State of the Region Address (Sora) on Wednesday in Swakopmund.

“One of the pressing tasks at the moment is for our officials and nationals at large to free their minds, update their thinking, break through the old ways of looking at our challenges, which is mainly looking for who to blame, and do things in a positive frame of mind. We must not always look at others for the answers to all our problems, but rather to ourselves as our own liberators.”

Mutjavikua also emphasised the critical importance of desalination as a springboard for the development of agricultural activities in the region, including livestock and fruit and vegetable farming.

Mutjavikua said economic advancement was one of the pillars of the Harambee Prosperity Plan (HPP). “Hence, we must bear that in our minds day and night. If one looks at the agendas of our towns, non-economic advancement work is dominant and one wishes to stress that most of our energy should be geared towards economic advancement,” said Mutjavikua.

He said drought is affecting Erongo more than any other region and mitigating measures should be undertaken.

“Erongo is more arid in nature, hence the severity of the impact. Therefore, using outside technology to desalinate water and ensure irrigation of our desert is not a luxury anymore, but a do-or-die.

“As a region we have tried many agricultural activities. For instance, we introduced Swakara farming and funded gardening projects, but now is the right time to turn to 'big agriculture'.

“We must rely on our sea and the desert to develop agri-businesses and rural enterprises and sustain the all-round development of agriculture, livestock, fodder, grapes, olive oil, dates, fruits, vegetables and other side-line products.

“The acquisition of the current desalination plant and the construction of a new desalination plant, as well as the establishment of the coast to Omaruru agriculture development corridors are long-term, arduous tasks, and we must make mental preparations for a protracted battle,” Mutjavikua said.

He added that every regional citizen has to focus and work hard and the role they play in economic advancement.

Mutjavikua said poverty eradication requires a change of attitude and mentality, saying considerable progress had been made in the funding of several envisaged projects under the Humanitarian Economic Grant (Forgivable Loan) Agreement.

The governor said a development plan has been approved under the agreement to build 61 000 houses in several towns and settlements in Erongo at Walvis Bay (30 000), Swakopmund (15 000), Arandis (3 500), Omaruru (3 000), Karibib (3 000), Henties bay (3 000), Usakos (1 500), Uis (700), Okombahe (500), Omatjete (500) and Otjimbingwe (300).

Mutjavikua said his office has been working hard to ensure the region successfully meets the housing and infrastructure targets under the HPP, saying the region has responded President Hage Geingob's declaration of informal settlements as national disaster.





Adolf Kaure