Oshikoto: The Oshikoto regional leadership has reaffirmed its commitment to accelerating agricultural growth, expanding telecommunications infrastructure, and improving access to education and skills development as part of efforts to drive socio-economic transformation across the region. Speaking during the State of the Region Address (SORA) on Wednesday, Oshikoto Governor, Sacky Kathindi, highlighted the importance of agriculture as a strategic priority, emphasizing its role in ensuring food security, creating employment, and stimulating economic growth.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Kathindi stated that the region aims to position itself as a leading agricultural production and agro-processing hub by strengthening the entire agricultural value chain, from production to processing, packaging, and market access. Efforts are underway to promote feedlot development to improve livestock quality, enhance market readiness, and increase returns for farmers. The governor further emphasized the importance of value addition in agriculture, advocating for locally produced commodities to be processed and branded within the region to retain economic value and create jobs.
To support young people entering the sector, agricultural youth projects will be promoted across all constituencies, focusing on crop production, horticulture, poultry farming, livestock production, and agribusiness development. Kathindi also highlighted the expansion of telecommunications infrastructure as a critical priority, noting that several communities continue to experience limited network coverage.
Five priority locations have been identified for the installation of network towers: Ongoololo in the Omuntele Constituency, Okashana Kitembu village in the Eengodi Constituency, Oshipya Marula in the Guinas Constituency, Ihuhwa Yandundu village in the Onyaanya Constituency, and Onuugonya village in the Omuthiya Constituency. Ongoing interventions by the Communications Regulatory Authority of Namibia through the Universal Service Fund have already delivered network infrastructure at Hedimbi Junior Primary School in the Nehale lya Mpingana Constituency. Additional installations are underway at Ohahati and Onalusheshete primary schools, while Eengodi Primary School and Ambunda Combined School have been earmarked for future rollout.
On education, Kathindi welcomed plans by the Namibia Training Authority to establish a vocational training centre in Omuthiya. He also revealed that consultations are underway with the International University of Management and the University of Namibia to explore opportunities for expanding tertiary education in Oshikoto. These initiatives are expected to strengthen skills development, enhance employment opportunities, and contribute to the region's long-term economic prosperity.