The Aroab Village Council in the ||Kharas Region has made significant strides in economic growth with a focus on socio-economic development, housing, and infrastructure improvement.
Its Chief Executive Officer, Simasiku Maketo, said this in an interview with nbc News.
Maketo outlined several ongoing and completed projects aimed at the betterment of residents.
The completed projects include full servicing of 49 plots, designing of a website in partnership with the Office of the Prime Minister set to be launched soon, installation of 40 street lights powered with solar, and a N$199,000 road upgrading initiative.
Ongoing projects are the construction and renovation of houses at the cost of N$1.6 million funded by the government and regional development trust, village council guest house renovations, construction of water, sewer, and electricity bulk services, upgrading of the stadium, and fencing of townlands.
"We are also in the process of engaging some investors in terms of investment opportunities existing in Aroab. This would assist at least in terms of creating employment for our local community. As you know, Aroab mostly is farming, so we need some of these to come in and create job opportunities. And also we need to create a conducive environment for investors," he said.
Marketo noted renewable energy and retail business as key business opportunities.
Moreover, the CEO highlighted some challenges amid the economic growth progress.
"The current biggest challenge is the availability of water. Currently, Aroab is receiving water on a rational basis, which creates some challenges, as we know some of our boreholes do not have sufficient water, but NamWater is currently busy with a project, which will improve water availability as soon as this project is completed. We expect by the end of March they will be able to be done by this line and the additional dam."
Maketo said the village council is ring-fencing the water and electricity income to service outstanding NamWater and NamPower debts.
He added that the council will soon also embark on a campaign to sensitise locals to pay their municipal bills.