A civic organisation called Lisha Empowerment and Development has petitioned the National Assembly to address the urgent need to revive the market for livestock in the northern communal areas.

The petition states that livestock farmers in the northern communal areas cannot sustainably sell their livestock.

It says this is because the quarantine facility at Farm Omutambo Maowe in Omusati, the Eloolo in Oshakati, and the Outapi abattoirs under the watch of the agricultural ministry collapsed nearly 12 years ago.

Lisha Empowerment and Development accuses the agricultural ministry of having underdeveloped the livestock market in the northern regions since independence, even to the point of market extinction.

There is also a lack of livestock markets, especially in Kunene, Omusati, and Oshana regions, which has become a national concern, it says.

They now want the National Assembly to look into the matter urgently.

The Speaker of the National Assembly, Professor Peter Katjavivi, has referred the matter to the Parliamentary Standing Committee dealing with petitions.