State of Region Address 22 June 2017

STATE OF REGION ADDRESS

2017

HON. C. MUTJAVIKUA

Mondesa Multi-purpose Centre

22nd June 2017

 Honourable Hafeni Ludwig Ndemula Chairman of the Regional Council and the Constituency Councillor of the Walvis Bay Urban Constituency;

 Hounorable Regional Councillors;

 Her Worship the Mayor of the International Holyday Resort of Swakopmund and all other Mayors Present here today;

 All the Local Authority Councillors;

 Special Advisor to the Governor;

 Commander of the Police in Erongo;

 The Air Base Commander;

 The Navy Commander;

 Regional Heads of the various Ministries and Government Agencies ;

 All Traditional leaders;

 Captains of Industries;

 The Chief Regional Officer

 All Chief Executive Officers Present;

 The SWAPO Party Co-ordinator and other Co-ordinators of the various political parties of our Multi-Party Democracy;

 All Religious Leaders;

 Members of our vibrant media in Erongo Region;

 Ladies and Gentlemen

1. INTRODUCTION

The global and regional economic environment has continued to deteriorate since the beginning of 2015, characterized by low commodity prices, weak global demand and volatile exchange rates which presented challenges to the Government of the Republic of Namibia.

Our national growth rate will be low and moderate as the headwinds of global demands and prices for our key commodities like Uranium which had been severely affected will have a serious impact. On the port and logistic side, our country had been negatively affected by the down-turn in global economy and the decrease in the envisaged level of export and import volume from mainly our land lock neighbors.

Currently, our country is recovering well from the serious drought of the last three years. Thanking the Almighty for His mercy as our region received good rain during the last season.

It is worth mentioning that our country is battling dramatic rise in debt stock over the past two years due to large budget deficit. The actions taken so far to bring the deficit under control is highly commendable. Actions that had been taken ensured that the country still retains its investment grade rating.

2. ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT

2.1 EMPLOYMENT CREATION AND SME DEVELOPMENT The NYC successfully trained 72 unemployed youth from Swakopmund and Walvisbay during 2016 in basic Entrepreneurship competencies.

This Scheme integrates basic business management training, loan assistance, monitoring and evaluation as well as aftercare services such as mentoring and exposure. After the completion of the training the trainees received soft loans as start-up capital to create employment opportunities for themselves and for the fellow youth.

TOTAL TOTAL TOTAL LOAN YOUTH TOTAL JOBS ENTERPRISE TOTAL LOANS TOTAL AMOUNT OF RECIPIENTS TRAINED CREATED CREATED DISBURSED LOANS REVOLVED 431 617 442 431 N$1,384, 121.28 N$ 402 800.00

For Example: Okombahe Youth Bakery is the brain-child of ten unemployed young residents of the settlement formed and registered as a Cooperative. The project staff received training from Namib Mills in Windhoek on how to bake and run a bakery successfully. The project was made possible by N$ 200 000 assistance from the NYC. This project plans to employ seven young people and will become operational soon, once electricity is connected to the building.

 EDF – Micro Credit Scheme  The credit scheme was initiated through support from Rössing Foundation, Erongo Regional Council, and Bank Windhoek.  The purpose of the credit scheme is to provide affordable finance to small businesses in Erongo Region. The project had assisted close to 65 beneficiaries.  The success rate of repayment is close to 85%  The risk of default is shared in the following manner:  60% EDF investment  30% the bank  10% by the beneficiary  Currently the Fund had selected 70 beneficiaries (10 per constituency) with the approximate value of N$ 750 000.00.  An overall of 60% are allocated to women and young people.

The Beneficiaries receives the following:

 Two year payback period  Regular visits from EDF to assist them with challenges.  Get a percentage back of the funds borrowed if they do not default ( incentive to payback)  Get certificate of completion after paying back. This serves as creditability for future support by financial institution.

2.2 INVESTMENT

 African Delhi (Pty) Ltd – Beef Mogodu tripe An N$70 million commercial 'matangara' delicacy enterprise, African Deli under the management of Namibia’s own Mr. Bobboh Kathindi, was launched recently in Walvisbay. The business is certified by the Namibian Standards Institution and will employ 55 people.

 Green Scheme and crop Production in the Namib Desert

The Office of the Governor is working with investors on desert agriculture and seawater optimal utilization Projects.

 Desert Rose  The Project is in full swing despite resistance from some environmentalists and concern groups.  Final Environmental Impact Assessment Scoping Report had been submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism for approval.  This project is expected to create 5000 job opportunities in the first five years and secure major international investment for Namibia.  Total direct and indirect jobs alone will be 1617 by 2021.

 Provide opportunity to involve SME’s and enhance government-private sector relations.  Contribute to taxes is set to exceed N$663mil by 2021.

 Solar Energy  Karibib-Solar Energy, an N$120 million solar power plant was launched at Karibib  OLC Arandis Solar Energy, 3 megawatt solar in Arandis.

 Group Isidoro The Office of the Governor and ERC, in collaboration with an international investor, is in the process to:

 Establish cheese factories at Uis, Okombahe and Otjimbingwe which will benefit the farmers in these rural areas and beyond.  Construct a Medical University Hospital in Arandis ;  Construct a Satelite Hospital in Henties Bay ;  Construct a Clinic and Nurses Training Institute in the Settlement of Okombahe  Establish a training department of hospitality at NIMT

 New Shopping Mall  Platzammeer Shopping Mall in Swakopmund  N$650m Dunes Mall in Walvis Bay

2.3 PROGRAMMES AND PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED FOR ECONOMIC ADVANCEMENT

 Erongo Regional Council Capital projects are carried out using the state funds that are budgeted under the Development budget, in line with the HPP and NDP5.

The table below indicates the capital projects that were carried out as from 2014/15 to date.

TOTAL COST PROJECT NAME STATUS SPENT (N$)

Fencing sewerage ponds - Uis Completed 574,771.28 Construction access of road and re-gravelling Okombahe Completed 603,069.31 Construction of Oxidation Ponds Phase1: Omatjete Completed 4,699,540.63

Surveying of Okombahe Proper Ext. 1 Completed 660,834.65

Surveying of Wlotzkasbaken Completed 55,756.20 Provision of Pre-Paid Water System : Uis – ( +/- 200 erven) Completed 10,143,625.56

Grading of Streets - Otjimbingwe Completed 4,979,330.40 Construction of Zeraeua Traditional Authority Office - Omatjete Completed 5,068,855.29 Omaruru Poultry Project - Social projects that benefits 63 households Ongoing 126,214.28

TOTAL EXPENDITURE 26,911,997.60

GOVERNOR’S OFFICE:

 Projects implemented during 2016 in collaboration with the SWAKOP URANIUM FOUNDATION:

 Otjimbingwe /Homdare Kindergarten  Cement for selected schools and construction of manhole for Otjohorongo P.S. Hostel

140,000.00 120,648.97 120,000.00

100,000.00

80,000.00 60,648.97 60,000.00 60,000.00 Series1 40,000.00

20,000.00

0.00 Otjimbingwe Cement for Schools & Total Kindergarten Manhole

 Governors regional development programme in partnership with the NAMSOV COMMUNITY TRUST – 2016/2017

 Funds received (2016/2017) : N$ 500,000.00  No. of Projects funded : 22  Funds Used : N$ 488,621.48 AREAS OF PROJECT FUNDING 250,000.00

213,634.28 200,000.00

150,000.00 154,980.00

Series1 100,000.00 96,497.20

50,000.00 23,510.00 - Community Education Economic Sports Development Development Initiatives

 Seaflower White Fish Corporation Dividend  Amount received – N$ 357 142.85  Amount used:  Namibian Newspaper Cup 2017 - N$ 241 705.00  Request for project proposals to be funded currently advertised for: i. Assembling of radios and calculators ii. Manufacturing of kitchen utensils

3. INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

3.1 CONSTRUCTION OF SCHOOLS/HOSTEL/TEACHER’S ACCOMMODATION Below is a list of construction and renovation undertaken in the 2016/17 FY.

1 Flamingo SS Construction of Admin block 100% Kuisebmund Project 2 School Construction of Admin block 100% 3 Okongue PS Construction of pre-fabricated teachers' flat 70% Construction of 2 pre-fabricated classrooms 100% Renovation of 3 teachers' houses and 4 Otjohorongo PS Construction of septic tank 100% 5 Ebenhaezer PS Construction of 4 pre-fabricated classrooms 100% 6 Ubasen PS Construction of 4 pre-fabricated classrooms 100% 7 Karibib JSS Construction of 2 pre-fabricated classrooms 100% 8 Otjimbingwe PS Construction of 2 pre-fabricated classrooms 100% 9 Omaruru PS Construction of 1 pre-fabricated classroom 100% 10 Ozondati PS Construction of 1 pre-fabricated classroom 100% 11 Coastal HS Construction of 4 classrooms 100% 12 Tutaleni PS Construction of 2 classrooms 100%

3.2 CLINICS AND HEALTH CENTRES

 The Construction of the clinic at Utuseb is nearing completion

3.3 MAWF DAPEES constructed an Agricultural Development Centre (ADC) and a staff house at Tubusis in Daures Constituency. The project started on the 26th August 2016 and will cost N$ 3.678 Million. The project created employment to 32 people (29M and 3F) Construction of Tubusis ADC is at its final stage.

3.4 ROADS/BRIDGES/RAILWAYS/AIRPORTS/HARBOURS

 Construction of Railways: Namibia Ports Authority constructed a new railway line of 2.25 km at the cost of N$30million as part of the Walvis Bay Port Expansion and the construction of the new container terminal.

 Construction of Roads and Bridges a) Upgrading of MR 44 (90km), Phase I, Section A (Swakopmund to Hentiesbay) and construction period is 28 months b) Upgrading of MR 44 and MR 36 (30km) to Freeway Standards, Phase I (TR 2/2 to Farm 58: Swakopmund to Walvisbay) and construction period is 36 months.  Future Construction: Expected starting date: July 2017 a) Upgrading of MR 44 (96 km), Phase II, Section b (Hentiesbay to Uis)

b) Upgrading of MR 44 & MR 36 (20 km) to Freeway Standards, Phase II (Farm 58 to Walvisbay Circle) c) Rehabilitation of TR 2/2: Road over Rail Bridge in Swakopmund.

 ONGOING INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT AT THE PORT OF WALVIS BAY

Construction of the new container terminal at the Port of Walvis Bay is ongoing. However, unforeseen complications with ground conditions hindered construction resulting in delays of completion by 6-12 months.

Given the reduced container volumes moving through the port at the moment, the current delay in the completion of the new terminal isn’t a crisis, as the existing port has sufficient capacity to handle the current shipment volumes.

Phase 1 of the development at the Walvis Bay North Port located 5 km north of the current port, is well underway. Current construction is 71% percent complete, and is expected to be completed in late 2018.

Phase 2 is the construction of a Liquid Natural Gas Terminal, consisting of a receiving jetty with access trestle and product pipeline, to support the Xaris Power Station that is to be built in Walvis Bay. This phase is on hold currently awaiting GRN approval.

Phase 3 will involve construction of a dry Bulk Terminal designed to export about 10 million tons of dry bulk products per annum. This phase is still in the feasibility study stage.

The ongoing Port Automation imitative is at an advanced stage. This project is key to the port’s future development which will see the automation of selected core processes earmarked to yield key benefits such as:

• Enhanced personnel safety • Optimization of asset utilization • Increased productivity • Operational effectiveness, and • Improved security

3.5 PROVISION OF ELECTRICITY AND WATER INFRASTRUCTURE

 Erongo Red: Underneath are new developments in the distribution of the electricity in the region:

Cost Major Projects (2017/2018 (N$) Demand Site Management 10 Mil Swakopmund Bulk Upgrade 280 Mil Urban and Peri-Urban Electrification 12 Mil Kuisebmond Primary Station 18 Mil Rural Electrification 9 Mil Karibib Upgrade 14 Mil Okombahe Upgrade 14 Mil Ruby Upgrade (W/Bay) 14 Mil Namwater Base Station Club T-off 16.8 Mil

 Renewable Energy: There is an increased pressure on the supply of the electricity thus the country opted to import electricity shortfalls from its neighbors, however the regional supplying capacity have become substantially constrained.

In order to supplement Nampower’s energy supply to the country, a 3 megawatt (MW) solar energy power plant was launched in November 2016 and will be constructed in Arandis that will supply electricity to Erongo-Red.

Furthermore, another milestone had been reached on June 9th, 2017 when an N$120 million solar power plant was launched at Karibib which was already functioning since March 7, 2017. The solar plant, which will feed five megawatts (MW) into the country’s national grid, is one of the 14 renewable energy projects commissioned under the interim Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariff programme (Refit), initiated by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and the Electricity Control Board (ECB)

 Erongo Water Forum The country-wide dearth of water is particularly evident in the Erongo Region, with the coast being the geographical part of Namibia with the least rainfall, with the traditional supply from the Omdel and Kuiseb Schemes not replenished for several

years by now, the water situation at the coast has reached a stage where a robust solution is required to mitigate the potential negative economic impact. The Governor’s Office together with the Erongo Regional Council (ERC), Local Authority Councils (LA’s) of Walvis Bay, Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Arandis established the Erongo Water Forum (EWF) under Chairpersonship of the Governor. By mutual consensus all parties agreed that a unified standpoint is adopted and implemented and that the EWF is mandated by the ERC & LA’s to this effect. At the same time the Forum constituted a Standing Committee to spearhead the process of the establishment of an envisaged water utility.  Rural Water Supply: TOTAL NUMBER OF EXISTING WATER POINTS IN THE REGION

AREA Number of existing water points by technology to date WPs WPs WPs with Electrified WPs on Combination Total with with windmills WPs pipeline diesel hand s engine pumps s Kuiseb 0 0 0 7 7 0 14 Okombahe 32 3 21 0 0 1 57 Omatjete 45 3 8 2 2 1 61 Otjimbingw 8 0 3 0 21 1 33 e Spitzkoppe 20 4 30 0 0 2 56 Tubusis 33 2 23 0 3 1 62 Uis 9 0 16 0 6 2 33 TOTAL 147 12 101 9 39 8 316

ACHIEVEMENTS FOR 2016/17 FINANCIAL YEAR

ACTIVITIES PLANNED ACHIEVED

Pipe extractions 289 38%

Preventative 40 8 Maintenance on boreholes Preventative on Engines 40 16

Engines breakdown 137 65 In-house construction of 8 9 small pipelines Windmills breakdowns 19 5

Boreholes Installations 16 8 In-house

4. HUMAN CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT

4.1 NUMBER OF PEOPLE ASSISTED TO OBTAIN QUALIFICATIONS/EFFORTS TO FACILITATE AIMED AT THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT OF THE REGION.

 NAMPORT: Assigned Contractor on the Port Expansion Project was contractually obliged to train 707 local employees through skills transfer and other class room trainings , namely:

NUMBER OF PEOPLE TRAINED FOR EACH TRAINING COURSE NO. TRAINING COURSE ACHIEVED Operator forklift, excavator ( load 1 operator 57 2 Rigger 17 3 Steel Fixer 94 4 Concrete worker 86 5 Pre-cast yard worker and T-beam 80 6 Superstructure worker 35 7 Bricker interlock 24 8 Cleaner 8 9 Clerk 9 10 Plumber 3 11 Electrician 4 12 Marine Worker 11 13 Piling 86 TOTAL 514

 GOVERNOR’S OFFICE

Through NAMSOV Community Trust funding seven tertiary students (4 female and 3 male) were assisted by the Office of the Governor to pursue and complete their studies in various academic fields at UNAM and NUST, namely:  Hilaria Shiweda – NUST  Ilanza Ujama Kongoro – NUST  Brandon Matsuib – NUST  Deloven Pilemoni – UNAM  Herman Taurob – UNAM  Rachel Keis – UNAM  Kangunime Etjo Katjivari – UNAM

NUST

58,968.88 60,000.00

50,000.00

40,000.00

30,000.00 21,190.00 14,320.00 20,000.00 AMOUNT - N$

10,000.00

- F F M 2016 2017 2017 Bachelor of Bachelor of Logistics Bachelor of Accounting and Supply Chain Engineering: Management Electrical Power

UNAM

30,000.00 25,190.00 25,000.00 19,860.00 20,000.00 14,140.00 15,000.00 12,430.00

10,000.00 AMOUNT - N$ 5,000.00

- F M M F 2016 2016 2016 2017 Diploma in BSc Geo- Bachelor of Diploma in Records & Information Education Public Relations Archive Science (Honours) Management

Erongo Development Fund

. Business Management for SMEs Beneficiaries receive training in financial management, marketing and business planning before receiving funding. The training is then funded by EDF and its different partners. It offers bursary and mentorship for those who failed to obtain financial support to get entrance into NIMT. Enrol one student per constituency at NIMT for three years.

5. SOCIAL PROGRESSION (ACTIVITIES RELATED TO POVERTY REDUCTION)

5.1 ACQUISITION OF LAND FOR RESETTLEMENT PURPOSES

 Ministry of Land Reform: Two farms with total size of 10 894.35 ha comprising of five (5) farming units were acquired

during the financial year 2016/17 in the region whereby only two male residents were beneficiaries. The Erongo Regional resettlement Committee received one thousand nine hundred and sixteen (1916) resettlement applications. It was virtually impossible to recommend all applicants as the demand for resettlement is far exceeding the number of farming units advertised. Although only five farming units were advertised for allocation in Erongo, eight applicants from Erongo were overall beneficiaries of land resettlement programme in Namibia.

 MAWF: Resettlement farmers  One Resettled Farmer’s competition was held in the Erongo Sub-Division during the 2016/17 financial year.  Twenty six (26) resettled farmers participated (7 F & 19 M).  Three farmers won first, second and third prizes.

5.2 DELIVERY OF SERVICED LAND, PROVISION OF HOUSING AND SANITATION

 Usakos Town Council:

LOCALITY TOTAL UNSERVICED ERVEN ERVEN ERVEN NUMBER OF ERVEN SERVICED SERVICED ALLOCATED ERVEN WITH WITH WATER & ELECTRICITY SEWERAGE Erongosig 72 72 72 60 Hakhaseb 66 66 0 0 66

Usakos Town Council has two housing programmes running, namely the Shack Dwellers Federation (SDF) and Build Together Programme (BTP). SDF is having three groups: Group one was allocated an un-serviced block erven for thirty houses. On twenty eight of the plots houses were constructed while the remaining two erven were not suitable for construction of houses. Water is provided through a communal point. Group two was allocated thirty un-serviced block erven .Council is currently in the process to provide individual conventional water meters. Consultants were appointed for installation of sewerage pipes. Group three is in the process to submit fifty applications to the Council and is in anticipation for servicing of fifty nine erven.

BTP was suspended but resumed recently. However, it was reported that most of the beacons for the surveyed erven could not be found. The Council through internal arrangements re-established sixty seven erven. Additional 170 erven needs to be re-surveyed to establish the beacon for pre-allocation to the applicants

Usakos Town Council: Hundred and twenty-seven (127) households are without sanitation.

 Hentiesbay Municipality:

LOCALITY EXT. TOTAL No. UNSERVICED ERVEN ERVEN ERVEN OF ERVEN ERVEN SERVICED SERVICED ALLOCATED WITH WITH WATER & ELECTRICITY SEWERAGE Omdel 5 174 0 174 174 0 Omdel 6 235 0 235 235 0 Omdel 12 200 200 0 0 0

Hentiesbay Municipality under the Mass Housing Programme thirty eight houses are unallocated as the result of: (i) An on-going construction of the sewerage pump station; (ii) Pending negotiations regarding the Deed of Donation.

Hentiesbay Municipality is currently constructing sewerage lines in the Informal Settlement in order to provide sanitation sewerage.

 Municipality of Omaruru

ERVEN TOTAL SERVICED ERVEN SERVICED NUMBER WITH WITH LOCALITY Ext. OF ERVEN WATER ELECTRICITY Ozondje 3 260 260 0 Ozondje 4 158 0 158 Ozondje 5 272 272 0 Ozondje 6 564 0 0 Omaruru 5 370 0 0 TOTAL 1624 532 158

Omaruru Municipality also has two housing programs, namely, Build Together Project and the Oasis Housing Scheme (low cost). The Build Together has two hundred and fifteen beneficiaries whilst Oasis Housing Scheme has thirteen.

Omaruru Municipality: It remains an issue in informal settlements and has made budgetary provision in 2017/18 financial year, including the installation of water borne gravity sewer system in Hakahana and Five Rand since it is currently in the process of formalisation.

 Walvisbay Municipality:

LOCALITY EXT TOTAL UNSERVICED ERVEN ERVEN ERVEN NUMBER OF ERVEN SERVICED SERVICED ALLOCATED ERVEN WITH WATER & WITH SEWERAGE ELECTRICITY Kuisebmund 10 102 102 0 0 0 Narraville 5 1618 1618 0 0 0 Shack 800 800 0 0 0 Dwellers Federation

Council has made 930 erven available in Kuisebmond and Narraville. To date, one-hundred-and-eighteen (118) houses have been completed while two-hundred-and-seven (207) houses are still under construction. A total of 41 contractors were appointed to participate in the housing construction project in order to speed up the process.

One-hundred (100) erven with a special zoning to construct two housing units per erven have been allocated to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia. Therefore, a total of two-hundred (200) houses will be constructed on these erven.

For the period July 216 – April 2017, Council has approved and recorded Building Plans to the total value of about 338 Million Namibia Dollars while the value of Completed Building Structures has been recorded at about 290 Million Namibia Dollars.

The refurbishment and upgrade of the Waste Water Treatment Plant at an estimated cost of about 44 Million Namibia Dollars has been implemented with an expected completion date for the project set at December 2018. This project, once commissioned, will improve the flow of the plant from 8,500 to 10,000 cubic meters per day.

 Arandis Town Council:

Council has developed a Structure Plan, accommodating the following: • Creation of New Extensions (mixed development and aligned with Strategic Plan, Harambee Prosperity Plan, NDP5 and Vision 2030) • Expansion of existing town lands boundaries to ensure sufficient land is available for the next twenty years and beyond

Council initiated the following strategies: • Aggressive Land Delivery Intervention (Forward Planning) • Promotion of Public Private Partnerships • Implementation of an Affordable Housing Solutions

Block of land was allocated to Shack dwellers, resulting in 36 erven which are in the process of being subdivided and allocated. Project is well on track and installation of services and construction will commence before the end of this year. Council had designed selection criteria which were approved at its last Ordinary Council meeting where 26 residential erven was allocated. Local Contributors to Affordable Housing Solutions: Pre-cast Fencing Factory is operational in Arandis and is supplying material and labour for following ultra-low income categories:

• Sand-mining services locally available • Brick-making plant operational in Arandis, reducing the cost of transporting bricks from Swakopmund • Local Skilled Labour Force • NIMT Building Trade Apprenticeships Opportunity • Political Support • Clear Strategy by the Council • Support from Financial Institutions for alternative building materials

 Karibib Town Council:

Usab ext. 3, the Council has engaged a private developer to construct low cost housing.

LOCALITY EXT. TOTAL No. UNSERVICED ERVEN ERVEN ERVEN OF ERVEN ERVEN SERVICED SERVICED ALLOCATED WITH WATER & WITH SEWERAGE ELECTRICITY Usab 2 309 0 309 309 0 Usab 4 96 0 96 96 0 Karibib 2 131 131 0 0 0 266 266 0 0 0 single residential 4 4 0 0 0 Karibib 4 general residential 20 20 0 0 0 general business

The Council has signed and MOU with Namibia Housing Action Group and the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and part of this is to formalize the informal settlement. It is through this intervention, the Council intends to improve housing and sanitation facilities. The process has started with data collection and doing drawings engineering for water and sewer line and want to construct houses with toilets and ablution facilities.

The Council have been working on two programmes, namely, Private treaty and Public Private Partnership (PPP). With the Private Treaty, the Council will sell serviced land to residence and owners will construct their own houses. On the contrary, with the PPP Council has engaged a company called Tulaing for the purpose of housing development.

 Swakopmund Municipality: . LOCALITY EXT TOTAL UNSERVICED ERVEN ERVEN ERVEN No OF ERVEN SERVICED WITH SERVICED ALLOCATED ERVEN WATER & WITH SEWERAGE ELECTRICITY Mondesa 9 44 0 44 44 44 Matutura 6-12, 24, 3034 3045 1873 1826 0 27-31 & single 37 residential 11 general residential .

The Council introduced the Ecoscan waterless toilet system in the informal settlement areas which does not require any water to function and utilizes a natural biological process to break down human waste into a dehydrated odourless compost-like material. So not only does it save on water use, but it is also entirely isolated from the surrounding environment and cannot contaminate underground water resources.

 NHE:

NO. OF NO. OF NO. OF HOUSES TOTAL OF HOUSES LOAN HANDED APPLICATIONS NO. OF HOUSE PER APPROVED OVER TO STILL TO BE TOWN HOUSES SEGMENT TOWN ALLOCATED PER TOWN CLIENTS PROCESS Social 899 76 76 76 823 Swakopmund 1521 Credit Link 622 220 0 0 454 Social 184 166 166 166 18 Walvisbay 263 Credit Link 79 75 49 49 4 Social 20 20 20 20 0 Hentiesbay 53 Credit Link 33 18 10 0 15

5.3 AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION SERVICES PROVIDED TO HOUSEHOLDS AND COMMUNITIES

The Directorate of Agricultural Production, Extension and Engineering Services (DAPEES) continue to provide extension services to the farmers in the form of information dissemination, training, communications and advice throughout the Region using a participatory approach.

Horticulture Production In its quest to contribute to increased food production, improve household food security, nutrition and employment creation, DAPEES-Erongo continues to support the existing and newly established gardens by providing training and technical advice to farmers and communities. DAPEES Erongo supported 84 existing backyard/ community gardens and facilitated 8 newly established gardens.

Farmers Training  Crop Production Trainings: 46 farmers (32 F and 14 M) trained on crop husbandry

 Livestock Production Trainings: 568 farmers trained on animal husbandry (383 M and 185 F)

5.4 ASSISTANCE PROVIDED TO COMMUNITIES IN COPING WITH DROUGHT

Omaruru Municipality supplied efficient water to the community of Omaruru town and tried all possible means to ensure the impact does not get out of control which included the establishment of various satellite water supply points, refilled with the use of water tankers.

The Erongo Regional Council through a Regional Council Resolution availed an amount of N$ 1,238,076.00 for buying of

29 fodders (grass and Lucerne) to the most affected farmers in the region while also paying S&T, private transports and casual laborers.

Furthermore, the Office of the Governor had also secured a bulk donation of grass for livestock from the Government’s Green Scheme Programme at John Pandeni Research Station at farm Uitkomst ,20km outside Grootfontein, for distribution to drought stricken farmers.

Additional assistance, in the monetary values was received from the following stakeholders, namely:

FNB Foundation N$ 1,000,000.00 Bannerman Resources N$ 15,000.00 Erongo RED N$ 50,000.00 Rossing (Rio Tinto) N$ 100,000.00 Governor’s Office N$ 11,318.40 Total: N$ 1,176,318.40

5.4 HEALTH CARE SERVICES

MoHSS conducted the Voluntary Medical Circumcision programme with assistance of JHPiego and managed 6000 male circumcisions from May 2016 – May 2017 and is continuing for another year. Despite challenges of budget constraints the ministry could deliver uninterrupted health and social welfare services to the inhabitants of Erongo. In-service training and continuous professional development take place through different workshops, seminars and meeting. Hospital services are rendered on a 24-hour basis in all four districts and provided full time ART services to patients.

5.5 EDUCATION

The positive academic results, mainly for grade 12, were a direct result of joint and focused efforts by all stakeholders to enhance the quality of education at schools in line with the National Standards. The assistance of education partners and the implementation of programmes such as the Rossing Outreach Programme, the Spring School, the Annual Award Ceremony for teachers as well an effective school cluster system contributed tremendously to the successes achieved in the region.

5.6 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

To impart necessary skills and knowledge to unemployed youth to become job creators or alternatively becoming employable, the Directorate of Youth Development has trained 26 young people from Usakos, Spitzkoppe and Karibib in Basic Computer Skills Training (non-qualifying vocational skills training).

Additionally, the Ministry has successfully introduced a Web-based Information Management System which is a fully customized Database for the Children of the Liberation Struggle (CLS), which

captures all aspects of the CLS personal profile, employment, qualifications, education, training, skills, intervention, etc. At the moment only 418 CLS are captured on the system.

STATISTICS OF THE CLS UNDER SKILLS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAME ERONGO REGION Institution CLS Enrolled Year NIMT 19 2016

Simon Mutumba Police Training Centre 10 Oct. '16 Farm Du Plessis 5 2017 NIMT 6 2017

5.7 SPORT The region successfully hosted the following World Class events:  Annual Governor’s Cup  2016 International Sevens Rugby  2017 SAPCO Sports Games  2017 Namibian Newspaper Cup  Indoor Hockey World Cup Qualifiers to be hosted this weekend.

5.8 FOOD BANK

The Ministry of Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare reported that no Food Bank activities are in Erongo yet.

Report on Social Welfare Programs:

Summary of benefits offered

 Old Age Grant - 10 642 beneficiaries registered  Disability Grant Permanent - 1262 beneficiaries registered  Temporary - 768 beneficiaries registered

In total there are 12 672 pensioners in the region.

6. OTHER DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

6.1 PROCLAMATION OF NEW TOWNS AND SETTLEMENT

 Usakos Town Council has ample land for future expansion/proclamation for new suburbs but not yet on the agenda for deliberation.  Hentiesbay Municipality: Two new extensions (Extension 7 & 8) have been requested through the statutory process.  Omaruru Municipality: Extension 3 – 5 Ozondje and Extension 5 Omaruru were recently registered and were gazetted on May 16th, 2017  Walvisbay Municipality: In an endeavour to address the housing backlog facing the town in particular and the country at large, the Council, in conjunction with the Offices of the Governor and Regional Council, embarked upon a project of establishing a new township on Farm 37. The Council has received approval for the establishment of Farm 37.  Karibib Town Council: The Council has planned two new extensions, namely, Karibib Ext. 6 and Usab Ext. 5

6.2 GENERAL POLITICAL SITUATION IN THE REGION

The general political situation in the region is stable and peaceful especially as the ruling party Swapo Party is preparing itself for the National Congress. All the primary elections are progressing well and the Swapo Party Regional Conference had been set for the second week of July 2017. All the districts are supporting the work that is being done by the Government of the Republic of Namibia under the excellent Management and Leadership of the President His Excellency Dr. Hage Gottfried Geingob. At the Regional and Local Authorities level, the opposition parties are making their contributions and that make our democracy vibrant.

6.3 ISSUES RELATED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT (SERIOUS CRIMES, GENDER BASED VIOLENCE, HUMAN TRAFFICKING AND STOCK THEFT

Underneath are Identified Cases reported: January 2015 - December 2016

CASES 2015 2016 Rape 65 68 Assault - G.B.H 567 545 Drugs 127 150 Robberies 164 179 Culpable Homicide 52 37 Stock theft 199 135 Theft - Motor vehicles 161 169 Fraud 240 295 Housebreaking & Theft 1040 879 Domestic Violence 333 393 Total 2948 2850

Ministry of Gender Equality and Child Welfare: To diminish the fight against gender based violence the following activities were carried out:

 Conduct community meeting with different target groups.  Establish male engagements and female support groups  Conduct the Regional Gender Permanent Taskforce meetings and 16 days activism against GBV.

ACC: The National Anti-Corruption Strategy (NACS), the regional Councils and Local Authorities have a role to play specifically to enhance transparency and accountability in budget management to reduce diversion of resources into non budgetary accounts; and ensuring decentralization with accountability to safeguard RCs and Las by building capacity in integrity systems, annual ethics training and in financial management and auditing among others.

At regional lever, the ACC Swakopmund Office conducted information sharing session, workshops, seminars and media campaign with 28 different institutions, O/M/As, as well as private sectors, with the aim to reduce corruption by aggressively increased public awareness campaigns on corruption in Erongo Region.

During the period under review 44 cases were received, whereby

 19 cases were finalized ( 45% of those received)  20 cases are still going on (48%)  2 cases were referred to other institutions and are waiting feedback (5%)  3 cases were submitted to the PG (7%), of these cases, one is in court, one is awaiting the decision of the PG and one was returned with further instructions.

7. CHALLENGES

 The Railway line between Walvis Bay and Kranzberg has become old and dilapidated and causes a lot of operational challenges such as derailments and accidents. Therefore, the railway needs to be rehabilitated and upgraded to the minimum SADC standards of 18.5 tons per axle.

 Trans Namib had experienced a freight volumes decrease mainly due to the current economic situation facing the country.

 E-Red

 Financing of capital projects  Return on Investment for Rural Electrification is very low  Collection of Debt especially from the Government Institutions  Long lead time in the delivery of electrical equipment as they are not manufactured in Namibia.

 The scarcity of agricultural farmland in Erongo Region. This had caused:

 Fencing between farming units still unresolved to date  Limited budget  Transport (too old vehicles, shortage of vehicles, old non- functional tractors and implements)  Lack of Wheat seeds in the Region  Drought  Constant Increase in demand for land and housing Some farmers moved their animals outside the region for emergency grazing.  Cattle and game competition on Natural Resources.  Bush encroachment

 Land Resettlement

 High competition for resettlement as only selected few can be accommodated for resettlement during the selection process.  Vandalism of Government acquired farms is a serious threat to the resettlement programme  Illegal (settler) movement of farmers to Government acquired farms before official allocation by the Minister.

 Local Authority Land Provision & Proclamation of New Townships

 The current lengthy or extended processes and procedures before the actual servicing of municipal land;  The recent government budget cuts.  Delays in concluding applications already submitted for the extension of the municipal boundaries  Bureaucracy in terms of Formalization Procedures (creation of New Extensions)  Cost of Serviced Land vs “Affordability” :  The inability by the government/ministry to release fund for the currently running projects for construction of services.  Lack of Heavy Earthmoving equipment  Lack of expertise in the fields of town planning and surveying is hampering development.  Some residents that in the informal dwellings (shacks) are unable to afford the cost of a residential erven, let alone the cost of a house once constructed.  Some prospective beneficiaries are unable to access financing facilities as they do not meet the qualifying criteria of the Financial Institutions.  The specifications for electrification by Erongo RED is extremely costly and furthers increases the cost of servicing and affordability of land;

 Sanitation

 Ageing infrastructure leading towards implementation of reactive rather than proactive maintenance.  Enormous capital injections to expand or implement additional waste water treatment plants to keep abreast with the growth and expansion of the town.  Abuse of the sewer system, i.e. individuals and business throwing foreign objects in the system, contributes largely towards pipe breaks, system overflows, pump breakages, resources deployments, and etc. Delays at deeds offices.

 GBV  Poor support from some Regional and Local Authority Councillors in terms of attending GBV community meetings.  Centralisation of the Ministry affects the effective planning and implementation of GBV activities.

 Poverty  Elderly and even people with disability in rural areas find it difficult to apply for the grant due to lack of transport and finances.  The lack of human resources is hindering the carry out of activities in the whole of Erongo.

 Youth  Extremely slow maintenance and substandard services from the Ministry of Works causes degeneration of government infrastructures and compromises with the service delivery.  Uncoordinated credit facilities/organizations for young entrepreneurs and employment creation efforts cause duplication and waste of resources.

 Education  Shortage of classroom space  Non-appointments and/or delay in filling of critical posts by Head Office

 ACC  Need more manpower especially with regard to investigation to speed up the finalizing of cases.  The financial constraints also played a role when it comes to aggressively implement prevention activities as well as awareness activities.  The perception of being toothless, only targeting the public sector and small cases.

8. CONCLUSION

I hereby call upon the people of Erongo to be united for development. Any intervention will be deployed whereby residents will be required to participate in the construction process of our own houses. This will herald a new shift in a way we use to do things.

Residents will be required to renter labour for servicing and construction of their own houses. This is the only way how we will reduce the prices and ensure that those that are in ultra-low income categories are included in hate mainstream economic and are given an opportunity to own decent houses in line with the clarion call by our President through HPP.