Erongo Governor Natalia |Goagoses has announced a plan to restore and repurpose the long-neglected Blouberg facility in Okombahe, describing its current condition as heartbreaking.

Speaking during a site visit, the Governor said the once state-of-the-art facility, built around the time of independence to support education and community development, has been severely vandalised.

Broken windows, stolen roofing, graffiti, damaged sanitation facilities, and heaps of rubbish now mark what was originally intended to house teachers, students, and youth-driven economic activities.

The Governor joined the control administrative officer, the Daures constituency councillor, and youth in Okombahe for a cleanup campaign at the facility.

“My heart is broken into pieces. My mind is just not together; I don't even know where to start. We have declared this year as the Year of Action as regional leadership, that nothing will be skipped knowingly where there is a need to give attention to it. One of the projects we are embarking upon is this historical facility,” |Goagoses explained.

The Governor outlined a phased-approach for the project.

The first phase focuses on deep cleaning and identifying all current occupants of the premises.

Security measures will be installed, and a formal management structure will be created to prevent further vandalism.

She confirmed that consultations will be held with residents currently occupying the facility to determine those who are eligible to remain, while others will be evicted.

Once these measures are in place, income-generating projects will follow.

“Mr Ganaseb and the team will help us to do a cost estimate to rehabilitate the hall, the bakery and the other rooms that can be used for economic activities. As a Governor, I already have a donor who is willing to give one hundred thousand dollars, but the donor will not release the funds under the current deplorable conditions.”

About the deplorable condition of the facility, the Okombahe Control Administrative Officer Paul Ganaseb blamed the absence of a long-term management plan, which will now be prioritised.

“We want to convert this section you have seen into a community hall that can be used for meetings, weddings and burial ceremonies. The units at the back can be used as accommodation and bed-and-breakfast facilities for visitors, which can generate income.”

Councillor of the Daures Constituency Inecia Brandt is optimistic about the new development.

“Nothing is impossible. Even if it looks very dirty now, we can change it. We just need a little bit of time. If we have something decent, good-looking and well-managed in Blouberg, I think most people will conduct their activities and even trainings here. Some people are skipping Okombahe because these facilities are currently not available.”

The Governor is targeting the completion of the project around Independence Day in March, describing the restored Blouberg facility as a potential flagship project for the region.