The Governor of Hardap Region has called for collaboration between all stakeholders to ensure socio-economic development and economic growth take place in the region.
Salomon April made the call during the fourth annual State of the Region Address.
"I acknowledge the diverse political landscape in the region; however, it should be understood that when it comes to issues of socioeconomic development and upliftment of citizens' livelihoods, we should continue to hold hands. Combine intellects and pull in the same direction for development and growth."
Governor April commended the regional political leadership for continuously fostering unity of purpose, coherence, and collaboration.
He highlighted successes in job creation opportunities in different sectors.
"There have been collective employment creation opportunities in the region in the following sectors to put a dent in the unemployment of youth: 117 permanent jobs at entry level in the Directorate of Education, Arts, and Culture; other sectors such as Mariental Municipality (200 jobs) and Rehoboth Town Council (330 jobs); MVA sponsored 6 young students from Mariental to pursue an emergency medical care course at NUST; reopening of Farmers Meat Market, which saw 110 people get jobs."
April also shared some development achievements. These include the completion of the N$1,5-million !Hoachanas Settlement Water Treatment Plant, the N$643,000 bulk services project at Klein Aub Settlement, as well as the land planning and surveying projects underway at Hoachanas and Schilp settlements.
The N$1,4 million water reticulation project at Empelheim Extension 4 and the N$1,5 million water and sewer reticulation project in the informal settlement at Mariental are also under construction.
Other projects completed include a N$1,6 million ECD Centre in Takarania and a N$1,4 million Emergency and Medical Response Centre in Mariental.
Governor April also highlighted land delivery successes.
"The Rehoboth Town Council reported the following achievements: Housing: 198 houses were provided to beneficiaries in various stages of construction (120 houses have been completed and 78 are still under construction). While 526 erven were allocated (346 in Bannhoff ext. 2 and 3, 180 in Bannhoff ext. 14), Additionally, 37,000 plots were upgraded in the formal settlement."
April reported that under the Shack Dwellers Federation, 45 houses at Gibeon Village and 20 at Aranos Village were also constructed.