Maria David
NEWLY appointed Oshikoto governor Sacky Kathindi on Tuesday laid out a comprehensive vision for the region’s growth and prosperity during the official handover ceremony from former governor Penda Ya Ndakolo in Omuthiya.
In his inaugural address, Kathindi said that he aims to tackle key areas such as youth unemployment, enhance market access, leverage eco-tourism, promote cultural heritage, and boost the livestock industry.
According to Kathindi, a central pillar of his plan to combat youth unemployment is the establishment of youth cooperatives.
“To reduce youth unemployment, youth will be supported by established youth cooperatives which will benefit more youth and will be given money from the youth fund that is to be established at the Development Bank of Namibia as part of the SWAPO Manifesto Implementation Plan,” he said.
Recognizing the limitations of current market infrastructure, the governor pledged to prioritize the establishment of more community markets across the region.
Kathindi also added that the region has untapped natural resources which need to be utilized to benefit the inhabitants, saying that they have Etosha in their jurisdiction but do not benefit fully from this treasure.
“By promoting community-based tourism initiatives, we will create employment opportunities and empower local artisans and entrepreneurs,” he added.
Further, he said that they should at all times aim to showcase Oshikoto’s rich cultural heritage as a key strategy to attract tourists and further bolster the local economy.
Thus, he indicated that a significant focus will also be placed on enhancing the livestock value chain.
Kathindi identified the lack of a public abattoir in the region as a major impediment. He committed to prioritizing the establishment of a public abattoir near Omanghetti, a move he believes will add significant value to the livestock industry, generate employment, and increase revenue for the region.
He then affirmed his administration’s commitment to improving healthcare and education systems, alongside upgrading essential infrastructure.
