Staff Reporter
THE Outapi Abattoir is about 90% complete, but its operationalisation will depend on the readiness of the Ongwediva meat processing facility, Agriculture Minister Inge Zaamwani has said.
Zaamwani made the remarks during a two-day working visit to the Omusati Region to assess infrastructure, projects and facilities under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Land Reform.
During the visit, the minister inspected the Outapi Abattoir and received an update on its infrastructure and operations.
Photos: Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water & Land Reform
“It seems that everything is almost 90% ready. There are a few outstanding issues that need to be done before the abattoir can become operational,” Zaamwani said.
She identified the readiness of the Ongwediva meat processing facility as a key bottleneck, as the Outapi Abattoir is intended to supply the facility.
“The key bottleneck at the moment is that this abattoir will supply the Ongwediva meat processing facility. That meat processing facility is also not yet fully operational and at full capacity, so we need to complete that one before this one can be operational,” she said.
Zaamwani said the facilities form part of an integrated meat value chain that includes quarantine facilities being constructed at Etunda and Ondangwa, as well as abattoirs in Outapi and Eenhana.
She said the facilities are intended to supply the Ongwediva meat processing facility, while the ministry is also working with Meatco on the planned renovation of the Oshakati Abattoir.
“The Oshakati Abattoir is also something that we are looking at together with Meatco, with a view to commencing with the renovations,” she said.
Zaamwani said the renovation work at Oshakati would be more extensive than that required at Outapi, but indicated that the latter could be fast-tracked once the Ongwediva facility is ready.
She said she would visit the Ongwediva facility on Friday to assess its progress and determine timelines for bringing the facilities into operation.
“Our commitment is to make sure that before the December high season, in terms of demand for our production, at least these two facilities are up and running,” Zaamwani said.
The minister is expected to visit additional strategic infrastructure and project sites across Omusati during her two-day visit.
