About 70% to 80% of ministries have decentralised their functions to the regions since the adoption of the Decentralisation Policy in 1997.

This is according to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development officials, who have called on those lagging behind to improve.

To empower local and regional governments, the Decentralisation Policy was adopted in 1997 so that residents could make their own decisions.

By implementing the policy, communities can shape their own destiny and address challenges unique to them.

The Ministries of Fisheries and Labour signed an agreement with two fishing companies to re-employ part of the 1130 unemployed fishermen who lost their jobs eight years ago.

The signing comes after a few delays in the Attorney General's office reviewing the contracts.

The Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Derek Klazen, made the announcement during a media briefing at Walvis Bay.

These fishermen, who were previously employed by various fishing companies, lost their jobs as a result of their participation in an illegal strike.