DTA engages Nghaamwa DTA Ohangwena regional coordinator Hidipo Hamata this week visited the region''s governor Usko Nghaamwa to discuss issues hindering development in the region and how they can be addressed.The four-hour marathon discussion took place at Eenhana. Hamata, who was the only official opposition member, sat down with the governor and other technocrats from the regional council.
Issues of concern pertaining to education, health, social services, youth development, unemployment and agriculture were widely discussed during the meeting. Hamata shared a number of his concerns, which were accepted by the host as genuine.
However, some concerns were dismissed due to a lack of evidence. Hamata raised the concern that it was not best for children to leave school premises and travel long distances for medical attention whenever they feel sick. He argued that pupils miss out on lessons while away for a long time. Instead, he proposed that a nurse be stationed at the schools to attend to the learners when they fall sick.
“Provide nurses at all secondary schools to attend to sick learners instead of them leaving school premises every time they get sick which affects their school performances,” Hamata said.
Hamata also raised the issue of unemployment amongst the youth saying that with the fertile land and underground water in the region, agricultural projects should be set up to reduce the high unemployment rate.
“We are therefore pleading that in the next regional budget a large chunk amount of money be allocated to agricultural development and water so that we grow our own food and in that way creating employment to our thousands of youth on the street,” Hamata said.
Nghaamwa responded that a lot of financial resources would be needed to address the issues raised by Hamata. He also told Hamata that the same concerns he brought are in the pipeline of being looked at but stressed that all challenges cannot be addressed at once.
“We are getting there. Government has made positive strides and continues to work on making developing Namibia,” Nghaamwa said. He also advised Hamata to make proper research on some of the areas of concern in the region.
KENYA KAMBOWE