Tjeundo decries unrealistic SORA

WINDHOEK, 29 JUN – The Namibian Government has not implemented projects to uplift the livelihoods of the people in Kunene, Popular Democratic Movement vice president Kazeongere Tjeundo has said.
In an interview with Nampa on Thursday, the opposition leader said the content of the State of the Region Address (SORA) delivered last month by Kunene Governor, Marius Sheya is misleading.
The SORA highlighted some of the developmental projects by the government in Kunene such as the Kamanjab-Ruacana road that was tarred, health centres that were constructed at Sesfontein and Kamanjab and the opening of a clinic at Otjomuru. It also mentioned upcoming projects such as the tarring of the road between Sesfontein and Opuwo through to the Epupa Falls.
These projects, according to Tjeundo, do not contribute to the upliftment of the inhabitants of the region, which is rated among the poorest regions in Namibia.
“The SORA paints an unrealistic picture of our region, sending the wrong message to those who may want to assist us in fighting poverty,” he said.
Tjeundo, who is also the Opuwo Rural Constituency Councillor, said the Epupa Constituency was rated the poorest constituency in Namibia during the National Household Survey, yet there has been no implementation of projects to assist the people there to uplift themselves.
Learners in Kunene are still being taught under trees and in tents, he added, saying this negatively affects the learners as the adverse conditions are pushing qualified teachers away from the region.
Another major problem he mentioned is the issue of the Red Line, which he said cuts out farmers north of the veterinary cordon fence from the rest of the country, something that affects how they do business through the sale of livestock.
“I think with all these issues in our region, it is high time that the SORA should start setting the record straight and stop sending a wrong message through the well-crafted content, which at the end denies our people an opportunity to be assisted as they should,” he said.
Responding to Tjeundo’s remarks in an interview with Nampa on Friday, Sheya said the SORA was balanced and comprised of both challenges and successes, adding that as a region, they never wanted to dwell much on the negatives.
“We have acknowledged that we are the poorest region with one of the highest unemployment rates and are therefore calling upon everyone to join us in finding lasting solutions to the region’s problems,” the governor said.
The State of the Region Address is a summary of the regional government’s programmes and activities, and provides status updates on these programmes. It is delivered once a year by the regional governor.

NAMPA