||Kharas Governor Aletha Frederick has called for concerted efforts to address the needs of all citizens in the region.
She made the call during the regional development report at Keetmanshoop.
"With the development of green hydrogen, oil, and gas and the much anticipated Neckartal Dam green scheme development, ||Kharas stands out at a crucial juncture in its history, poised to harness its economic potential to uplift its people while addressing the longstanding challenges of Namibia as a whole."
The governor's address largely focused on achievements in key areas including education, health, road construction, crime prevention, housing delivery, and bulk infrastructure development during the past year.
On education, 13 classrooms were constructed under the Infrastructure Development of the Ministry of Education at Keetmanshoop Primary and Secondary School and Ambrosius Amutenya Primary to address classroom shortages.
The government, she added, approved N$60 million over three years for the construction of UNAM's Southern Campus geosciences building, which will house oil and gas, hydrology and engineering, physics and geophysics, spectroscopy, and instrumental laboratories.
However, she was quick to say that the region is still confronted with several challenges that impede academic performance and need urgent resolution.
"Out of the 36 schools offering curriculum for grades 1 to 7, only 2 have computer labs available for learner use. The stark reality highlights a significant gap in our educational infrastructure."
On crime prevention, Fredrick says the crime rate has declined by about 6%.
The governor says the region was making significant progress in health infrastructure development, highlighting the N$70 million investment for the construction of the Aussenkehr Health Centre, which is 85% complete, and the upgrading of TB facilities at Keetmanshoop Hospital at the cost of N$9 million."
The ||Kharas Regional Council has also embarked on several major initiatives focused on improving essential services such as water supply, sewage management, and electrical infrastructure.
The combined contractual amount for these projects stands at N$134 million.
"The Office of the Governor is dedicated to establishing contemporary engines for economic development that will support initiatives of the national government as we approach the realisation of vision 2030."
The governor says the Road Authority and RFA have invested N$107 million in upgrading roads in the region during the 2023/2024 financial year.
The governor also expressed concern over the ||Kharas Regional Council's chairperson, Joseph Isaack's, unilateral decision not to call a special meeting for her to deliver the State of the Region Address.
Isaack, however, indicated to nbc News that the governor has no right to vote at any regional council meeting and that, as such, the council 'would be unable to accept' the governor's invitation to attend the region's State of the Region's Address turned Regional Development Report.