Windhoek: Limited financial resources continue to hamper the implementation of key programmes aimed at supporting persons with disabilities, Vice President Lucia Witbooi said on Monday. Speaking at the official opening of the Division of Disability Affairs and Marginalised Communities' Planning Workshop, Witbooi highlighted that despite progress made in advancing disability inclusion, several initiatives remain constrained by a lack of dedicated funding.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the Vice President stated that while achievements and plans in disability inclusion are encouraging, the challenge of limited financial resources persists. This constraint particularly affects the division of disability affairs, where there is currently no dedicated funding for project implementation, slowing the rollout of development projects intended to improve services and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

However, Witbooi reassured that the government remains committed to improving policies and programmes that promote dignity, accessibility, and socio-economic participation for vulnerable groups across the country. Despite the challenges, several initiatives are underway, including the revival of food production projects at Farm Ondera in the Oshikoto Region and Farm Uitkoms in the Otjozondjupa Region.

Other planned interventions include development projects at the Keetmanshoop Disability Resource Centre, a programme in Rehoboth for children with disabilities, and the planned allocation of land for a disability resource centre in Ongwediva. The five-day planning workshop aims to review progress, identify gaps, and align programmes with the broader goal of inclusive and equitable development.

Witbooi urged participants to use the session to develop realistic and practical strategies to strengthen service delivery for persons with disabilities and indigenous minority communities. She also highlighted structural and policy challenges faced by the marginalised communities division, including limited benefits for communities listed as shareholders in exclusive prospecting licences, tourism concessions, and fishing quotas, despite their formal participation in such arrangements.