Civil servants in the Kavango East Region are unhappy with the proposed Financial Institutions and Markets Act (FIMA) regulation of 75% preservation from their pension fund.

The regulation only allows 25% access to the pension fund upon retirement.

Civil servants raised their concerns at a consultation meeting with the Ministry of Finance.

The government explained that the 75% preservation fund aims to protect people so they can still live a better life after retirement, as research indicates that many people suffer after retirement.

Kavango West Governor, Sirkka Ausiku, has made a heartfelt plea to the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, urging them to prioritise her region for poverty alleviation efforts.

Sirkka Ausiku made this appeal during the opening of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development's Annual Progress Review and Planning workshop in Nkurenkuru.

Kavango West was proclaimed a region about 10 years ago, separating its administration from Kavango East.

The region currently comprises just one central location, Nkurenkuru, and a single settlement, Katwitwi.

An office building that was constructed five years ago to accommodate staff members of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism in the Kavango East Region's Mukwe Constituency is yet to be occupied.

The building is now dilapidated.

The office was constructed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reform before it was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism.

The staff for whom the building was constructed are currently accommodated at the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Office in Divundu.

Statistics provided by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) indicate that 31% of teenagers between the ages of 13 and 15 are already smoking, while about 50% are exposed to secondhand smoking.

It is further estimated that 20% of men and five percent of women between the ages of 15 and 49 consume tobacco in Namibia.

What is also concerning is smoking and secondhand smoke exposure among children.

People who are exposed to secondhand smoke can suffer the same consequences as those who smoke.

The Minister of Works and Transport, John Mutorwa, has announced phase two of the upgrade on the Charlie Cutline Road, 70 kilometres west of Rundu.

The second phase is set to run for six months, covering at least 35 kilometres at a cost of N$29.8 million.

The road connects the Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto, and Ohangwena regions.

The second phase of the upgrade has already started, and it has so far covered 10 kilometres.

Youth in the two Kavango regions attended a one-day workshop on transforming education in Namibia at Rundu.

The aim was to form a youth-led movement to transform education.

The workshop was born after the New York Summit last year, where young people put together their demands and what they want their governments and UN member states to do to address the global learning crisis.

The summit was convened in response to the global learning crisis to ensure that learning is equitable, accessible, and quality for each child globally.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform officially handed over the Rundu abattoir to MeatCo yesterday.

The abattoir is intended to serve as a market for cattle and small stock farmers in the Kavango East, West, and surrounding regions.

The construction of the Rundu abattoir started in 2014 and was expected to be completed in 2017.
 
The Minister of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, Carl Schlettwein, stated that the outbreak of COVID-19 and disruptions in tourism and other economic activities delayed the completion of the abattoir.

The President of the Namibian National Farmers Union, Jason Emvula, has called on MeatCo to work closely with the farmers for the abattoir to remain operational throughout.

"Hence I am saying MeatCo should be given a chance to spearhead the operations at our nation's abattoirs in conjunction with the farmers. Now I want to stress this one in conjunction with the farmers. You know what? If the farmers are not involved, they will not feel bound to deliver. It's obvious if you feel and own the process yourself."

The recognition of  Felix Muraghuli as Hompa for the Gciriku Community has stirred discontent among some members of the royal family.

While one faction is urging the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, to reconsider his decision, another faction has opted to pursue legal action.

Since the death of Kassian Shiyambi in 2019, the Gciriku People have been without a Hompa.

The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development announced Murauli's recognition as Hompa for the Gciriku Community in a letter issued last week.

Youth in the Kavango East Region joined the rest of the world in celebrating International Youth Day at Rundu.

The event was organized by the Youth Ambassador of the region to foster discussions on green skills and sustainability.

The Youth Ambassador role was established in 2020 during the outbreak of COVID-19 and emerged as a dynamic force in combating the spread of the virus.