Strong governance drives Oshana development progress: Hamutumua

By Andreas Thomas
OSHAKATI, 22 MAR (NAMPA) - The Oshana Regional Council has recorded strong development progress over the past financial year despite resource constraints, with a budget execution rate of 92 per cent as of the middle of March 2026, Chief Regional Officer Teopolina Hamutumua has said.
In an interview with Nampa, Hamutumua described Oshana as a strategic hub in northern Namibia, serving as a key administrative, economic and service centre for a population of over 230 000 people.
She noted that the region’s mix of urban and rural communities presents both opportunities and challenges for infrastructure, employment, and service delivery.
“Because of its central geographic position, expanding infrastructure, and strong commercial activity, Oshana plays a critical role in connecting rural and urban economies and supporting national development objectives under Vision 2030 and the Sixth National Development Plan,” Hamutumua said, referring to the Oshakati-Ongwediva-Ondangwa urban triangle as a growing commercial corridor linking producers to markets.
The government official added that the region also hosts important economic platforms such as the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, Ondangwa Trade Fair, and Oshakati Totem Expo, which attract investors and businesses from across Namibia and neighbouring countries, including Angola and South Africa.
Hamutumua highlighted that cooperation between political leadership and the regional administration under her leadership has been central to the council’s performance.
“The regional council enjoys a very constructive and professional working relationship with all regional councillors,” she said, adding that clear separation of roles between policymakers and administrators has enabled efficient implementation of development programmes.
During the 2025–2026 financial year, the council prioritised projects aimed at improving sanitation, infrastructure, water access and food security.
Rural sanitation programmes and agricultural initiatives were among the standout interventions, delivering both public health benefits and employment opportunities.
“One of the most impactful initiatives has been the rural sanitation programme, which improves living conditions while providing income opportunities for local communities,” she said.
Food security efforts, including the cultivation of communal crop fields, have also strengthened household resilience, while infrastructure development in settlements such as Eheke has improved access to basic services, according to Hamutumua.
Looking ahead, Hamutumua said the 2026-2027 financial year will focus on infrastructure expansion, water security, local economic development and youth empowerment.
These sectors, she explained, are critical to job creation and improving living standards.
Community participation remains central to development planning in the region. Through a network of more than 230 local development centres and constituency committees, residents are directly involved in identifying and prioritising projects.
“This participatory framework ensures that development priorities are informed by community realities and aligned with regional and national goals,” she said.
To address unemployment, particularly among young people, Hamutumua said the regional strategic plan aims to reduce youth unemployment from 46.1 per cent to approximately 40.1 per cent by 2031 through the implementation of the recently launched Local Economic Development Strategy (2025–2030).
She said that the strategy focuses on unlocking new economic opportunities and attracting investment in sectors such as agriculture, renewable energy, tourism and digital services.
However, Hamutumua acknowledged that limited financial and technical resources continue to constrain service delivery, particularly in the face of a growing population and increasing demand for infrastructure and housing.
On governance, she stressed that the council operates under strict accountability frameworks, including compliance with procurement laws, internal audits and oversight by the auditor-general.
The region is also strengthening climate resilience through integrated planning frameworks, including land use strategies and disaster risk management systems. Located in the flood-prone Cuvelai Basin, Oshana faces recurring threats such as floods, droughts and veld fires.
(NAMPA)
AT/AS/EK