Ndiyona: The Kavango East Regional Council on Monday officially inaugurated newly installed streetlights along the B8 trunk road at Ndiyona settlement, in a project valued at N.dollars1.1 million. The installation was launched by Special Advisor to the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Boniface Mutumba, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Minister James Sankwasa.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Sankwasa emphasised the importance of reliable infrastructure, noting that street lighting represents hope, safety and opportunity for many rural communities. 'Streetlights are not just fixtures, they are beacons of progress illuminating Ndiyona and its surroundings,' he said. He explained that proper lighting enhances safety by reducing traffic accidents and deterring crime, while also enabling safer night-time travel and supporting economic, social, and healthcare activities after dark.

The project was completed within the contracted three-month period and aligns with national rural electrification goals, which remain central to the government's drive for inclusive growth. 'This development symbolises our commitment to rural upliftment and equitable development,' he added. Sankwasa urged the community to take ownership by training local technicians for maintenance, reporting faults promptly, and ensuring the sustainable management of the infrastructure.

He reaffirmed the government's ongoing commitment to improving rural infrastructure such as water, roads, schools and health facilities, to ensure that no Namibian is left behind. Ndiyona Constituency councillor Laurentius Mukoya welcomed the development, saying the regional council remains committed to improving local infrastructure despite persistent challenges, including high unemployment and environmental vulnerabilities.