Omusati records 12 malaria deaths, 7 400 cases

Omusati regional governor Immanuel Shikongo last week warned that, despite gains in agriculture, education, infrastructure and youth development, crime and malaria remain major concerns.

Shikongo made the remarks during his State of the Region Address in Outapi, where he noted that crime had increased by 4% over the past financial year, from 3 525 cases to 3 670 reported cases.

Domestic and gender-based violence (GBV) in particular remains a worrying trend, he said, with 465 GBV cases reported in addition to 204 child physical abuse cases.

“I therefore call on all role-players to break the culture of silence and to hold perpetrators to account to make sure the rights of every child are protected,” the governor said.

Shikongo also expressed concern over the region’s health challenges.

"The Omusati region has recorded a high rate of malaria cases, with 7 410 cases confirmed during the reporting period," he said. "Unfortunately, it is saddening to report that the region has recorded 12 deaths as a result of malaria."

He urged residents to be vigilant and visit health centres if they feel unwell.

Education, jobs and agriculture

Shikongo said the region remains committed to accelerating development in line with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s call for “no business as usual".

Government, meanwhile, invested N$14.5 million in repairing and upgrading water supply infrastructure at the Etunda Irrigation Scheme and N$900 000 in constructing a cool room to strengthen agricultural production.

Shikongo said Etunda produced 1 371 tonnes of maize from 270 hectares, alongside potatoes, wheat, watermelons and a pilot banana project that has already been harvested and marketed. Government also invested N$1.5 million in agricultural subsidies benefiting 8 353 farmers, while N$1.6 million supported poultry and horticulture production for 177 farmers.

To improve education infrastructure, N$5 million was invested in classrooms and ablution facilities, with 37 classrooms renovated, 112 jobs created and a further N$5.5 million spent on vehicles to support education services.

On youth employment, Shikongo said Outapi Town Council employed 87 contractual workers at a cost of N$2 million, while the Social Security Commission Development Fund invested N$2.6 million in the Okalonda Youth Brick Project, creating ten jobs. The labour ministry also placed 146 of 576 registered job seekers into employment.

Major infrastructure investments include the N$86.9 million Litapa-Okeeholongo Water Supply Scheme, N$206.1 million invested in replacing the Ogongo-Oshakati water pipeline, and N$123 million for upgrading the Outapi Purification Plant.

The region is prioritising projects such as a N$21 million tomato processing plant, a N$20 million Ruacana South Pipeline Project and expanded tourism infrastructure centred on Ruacana Waterfall and Omugulugwombashe Shrine. Moreover, the establishment of an Ogongo Rural Development Centre valued at N$50 million is in the works.