The Governor of the ||Kharas Region has called on the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform to expedite the consultancy services procurement process for the design of the irrigation scheme at Neckartal Dam. 

Aletha Frederick made the call while officiating over the ministry's management review workshop for the second quarter of the 2024/25 financial year, held at Keetmanshoop. 

The workshop, which is being attended by senior officials from the ministry from all the country's 14 regions, will reflect on the ministry's achievements and outline strategic direction for the coming quarter. 

"This process is long overdue, though we understand that there have been a lot of tender cancellations in the past, but I cannot overemphasise the urgency and importance of having an irrigation scheme at Neckartal Dam."

The governor also highlighted the ministry's achievements during the current financial year, which include borehole installations and developments, water point rehabilitation, earth dam construction and desalination plants, as well as sanitation infrastructure development. 

In addition, the Division of Lands also made significant progress in customary land rights registration, leasehold registration, lease agreements, farm evaluations, and land acquisition. 

Land measuring 166,000 hectares was acquired for resettlement purposes in the region. 

The Division of Agricultural Extension also made notable strides related to the Comprehensive Conservation Agriculture Programme, Horticulture Support Program, Small Stock Distribution and Development Programme, poultry value chain, and fodder and lick subsidy. 

The workshop ends on Friday.