New governors to focus on green schemes, water shortages

Newly appointed Kavango East and Oshikoto regional governors have set their eyes on addressing food insecurity and water shortages in their respective regions.

Julius Hambyuka, who was appointed Kavango East governor by president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah last week, has vowed to revamp the region’s poor-performing green schemes.

“Both Kavango regions are blessed with an abundance of resources, one being vegetation, and I will make sure our green schemes are functioning again so we address food security in the region and the country,” he says.

Hambyuka replaces former governor Bonifatius Wakudumo, whose term was not extended for an additional three months.

The new governor says the region has all it takes to provide food security for the entire country with proper structures, and his office will ensure it reaches its envisaged potential.

Hambyuka says he will engage various stakeholders to revive the green schemes, thereby also ensuring job opportunities are provided.

He is adamant that only capable people will be put in charge to run the schemes, citing they cannot afford to waste government funds.

Hambyuka was speaking to The Namibian at State House last week after the president announced the new governors.

Oshikoto region governor Sacky Kathindi, who replaces Penda ya Ndakolo, says he will work closely with the already established structures to improve living conditions in the region, while the water crisis remains his top priority.

“But I will work with the plans and ideas put in place to improve the livelihoods of our people,” he says.

Kathindi says he is not new and has served the region in various capacities, but believes regions should always work together to address bread-and-butter issues.

Political commentator Erika Thomas previously said the president would need to appoint people who will revisit all dormant government projects and revive them for food security, doing away with “dependency syndrome”.

She said Namibia is too rich to be poor and the population too small to be finding it hard to address issues affecting its people.