Maria David
VOLUNTEERS from the National Youth Service (NYS) will mend the fence around the Etosha National Park and help government save millions of dollars by cutting out costly private companies.
Executive Director of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), Theofilus Nghitila, said about N$2 million has been budgeted and will go towards acquiring materials, as well to give the volunteers an allowance.
Nghitila, while visiting the site on Friday, said using private companies is expensive and that it would have cost the ministry N$700 000 per kilometre, and an estimated N$500 million to complete the remaining 690km.
Nghitila, who was accompanied by NYS Commissioner, Felix Musukubili, was assessing the progress on the construction of the park’s boundary fence, as well as to mark the official commencement of the construction and upgrading of the fence using youth volunteers.
UPGRADING: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with National Youth Services busy with upgrading of Etosha National Park Boundary fence. Photo by Maria David 
UPGRADING: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with National Youth Services busy with upgrading of Etosha National Park Boundary fence. Photo by Maria David 
UPGRADING: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with National Youth Services busy with upgrading of Etosha National Park Boundary fence. Photo by Maria David 
UPGRADING: Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in collaboration with National Youth Services busy with upgrading of Etosha National Park Boundary fence. Photo by Maria David
In 2020, the MEFT and NYS signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strength their ties and ensure productivity.
Nghitila stated that the 820km long fence is expected to be complete in the next two years.
Of the 820km long fence, about 130km has already been completed.
“The Etosha National Park is one of the oldest and is Namibia’s number one tourist destination, thus it is crucial to upgrade the infrastructure of the park to ensure that it continues to attract more tourists,” he said.
He noted that an additional 25 people from Onanke village in the Oshikoto Region are also expected to join youths from NYS with the upgrading of the fence.
This number will, however, double as time goes on.
The fence of the national park is in a deplorable condition, with some areas of the fence completely exposed, causing livestock to graze into the park, and wild animals to leave the park.
This often leads to incidents of human wildlife conflict.
Musukubili stated that through the voluntary services program, a total of 10 youths were deployed to the national park to assist with the maintenance of the boundary fence.
He noted that they have over 6 000 trained youths, with about 3 000 deployed to various sectors.
“We have already deployed over 100 youths dealing with forestry in the ministry,” he said.
Musukubili concluded that as part of their agreement, the NYS will avail as many youths as is required to complete the fence.
