Oshana sees jobs rise, crime fall

The Oshana region recorded a 13% decline in overall crime, created more than 1 800 jobs and continued investing heavily in infrastructure, healthcare and education over the past financial year.

This was announced by Oshana governor Hofni Iipinge in his State of the Region address on Monday.

Presenting the report before the Oshana Regional Council, Iipinge said reported crime cases decreased from 11 804 in 2024/25 to 10 267 in 2025/26, while reports of gender-based violence, rape and domestic violence dropped by 12%, from 759 to 670 cases.

He attributed the improvements to stronger law enforcement, community policing initiatives and awareness campaigns conducted by the police and its partners.

He also highlighted employment creation as one of the region’s major achievements.

Infrastructure and public investment projects generated 120 permanent jobs and 1 681 temporary jobs during the reporting period.

“Oshana has remained focused on transforming plans into action, commitments into results and public resources into meaningful improvements in the lives of our people,” Iipinge said.

He reported significant progress in infrastructure development, supported by a capital budget allocation of approximately N$357.3 million under the medium-term expenditure framework.

Among notable projects were the Ondangwa wastewater treatment plant, which reached 95% completion, the Evululuko Extension 14 electrification project valued at N$15.6 million, and the construction of a 5MW solar plant in Oshakati, which is 80% complete and created 169 temporary jobs.

Iipinge said government also continued investing in major water infrastructure projects, including the refurbishment of the Calueque-Oshakati Canal, replacement of the Ogongo-Oshakati pipeline and upgrading of the Oshakati water purification plant. Collectively, the projects are valued at nearly N$1 billion.

Better learning environments

He said education infrastructure projects worth about N$32 million were implemented across the region, including the construction of classrooms, science laboratories, computer laboratories, libraries and administration blocks.

Iipinge said Oshana’s tertiary and vocational institutions produced 3 010 graduates during the reporting period, while more than 2 500 people acquired practical skills through community learning programmes.

He further reported that 1 329 businesses were registered, while 975 micro, small and medium enterprise certificates were issued to improve access to markets and procurement opportunities.

Trade hub

Iipinge said trade fairs continued to contribute significantly to the regional economy. The Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair attracted 455 exhibitors and more than 76 000 visitors, while the Oshakati Totem Expo drew over 59 000 visitors and 159 exhibitors. The Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition hosted 230 exhibitors and attracted 18 000 visitors.

Despite progress, several challenges requiring national intervention included the urgent construction of the Ondangwa District Hospital, expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure, land servicing, youth unemployment and the upgrading of strategic roads, the governor said.

He also renewed calls for the development of a dual carriageway between Oshakati and Ondangwa, citing increased traffic volumes and growing economic activity along the corridor.