In efforts to bring services closer to the people, the Office of the Oshana Governor, in collaboration with Ziara Energy and Investment Pty. Ltd. (LTD), entered into a public-private partnership to construct a healthcare centre at Ontako village in the Ompundja constituency.
This healthcare centre will not only benefit residents of the Ontako and Ompundja constituencies but also neighbouring constituencies.
Speaking during the site familiarisation and inspection, Ziara Energy and Investment representative Arvo Mufeti stated that it is part of their corporate social responsibility and commitment to give back to the community and meet the government halfway.
He added that this initiative will contribute to government efforts to bring essential services closer to the people and alleviate their living conditions.
"The governor has selected this place in the Ompundja constituency for us to set up a healthcarecentre that we will donate to the government as Ziara corporate social responsibility. This will help people in this area, as they will not travel to Oshakati for medical services; it's at their doorstep."
Mufeti urged for cooperation from the community and for them to refrain from vandalising the facility upon completion.
Oshana Regional Governor Hofni Iipinge said it showed the government's commitment to building the health centre, complete with a nurses' home.
"We see it right to bring these services here so our people no longer have to travel long distances for medical services at Oshakati or at Ompundja Clinic at Oshakati East, which only operates from 08:00 to 17:00. However, this one will operate 24 hours a day, equipped with patients' beds and delivery rooms for expecting women."
Residents of Ontako and the surrounding area welcomed the idea and thanked Ziara and the governor for coming to their aid, as they will no longer travel long distances in search of healthcare.
This is not Ziara Energy and Investment PTY (LTD)'s first community project in the region. They have constructed a police station at the Onawa location in Oshakati town and donated it to the Namibian Police Force, which is operational on a 24-hour basis.