Oshana Governor Elia Irimari is urging the regional leadership to work together and refrain from corrupt practices.

Irimari addressed stakeholders in development at an engagement held at the Leo Shoopala Hall in Oshakati.

Irimari advised stakeholders to refrain from tendencies that could derail development or service delivery.

"Let us all reaffirm our commitment to a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. Together, let's create an environment where transparency, accountability, and ethical behaviours flourish in matters of corruption.".

Oshana Governor Elia Irimari says the persistent drought has a significant negative impact on families in urban centres within his region and that they too deserve to get food aid to help them get through the drought.

Against this background, the Oshana Regional Council found it fit to hand over food parcels valued at N$135,000 to three of its local authorities.

The towns of Ongwediva, Ondangwa, and Oshakati received 737 tinned fish as well as 184 bottles of cooking oil and 10 kg bags of maize meal to assist the families in these towns in getting a meal on their tables.

More than N$400,000 was raised at the Oshakati Totem Expo gala dinner to raise funds for the event's success in December.

The Oshakati Totem Expo began in 2012 but was halted in 2022 due to COVID-19.

Oshakati Town Mayor Leonard Hango was hopeful the totem expo's return would result in a bigger and better event than ever before.

Some of the funds raised at the gala dinner will be used to build a permanent structure for the annual hosting of the event, while the venue will be used to host various other events in the town as well.

The two-day Investment Conference began this morning in Ongwediva, bringing together local and international business professionals.

This much-awaited second conference, aimed at outlining the economic advancement of the Oshana Region, is held under the theme "Igniting Economic Growth".

The conference brought together senior government officials, including ministers and regional authorities, who acknowledged its importance in promoting cooperation between the public and private sectors.