The Minister of Industries, Mines, and Energy has assured residents of Onandjaba Village that plans are underway to upgrade the facilities of the Namibia Investment Development Agency (NIDA) to make them more appealing for trade.
Modestus Amutse undertook a familiarisation visit to NIDA's facilities in the Omusati Region – evaluating the status of the facilities and engaging with tenants trading there.
Amutse acknowledged challenges faced by traders, including non-occupancy in some units due to vandalism and disruption of their business due to market volatility.
A decision by one of the banks to close its branch at the newly established Onandjaba Village Council has adversely affected trade; this decision was made due to the area's insufficient population.
"The focus is really to accommodate different entities with different services to the people. Whether it is banks or any other entities, we will welcome them, but our wish is that any customer that is dealing with us remains with us, but in case, which is normal in business, we find another business that has found another facility to operate from; of course that is their choice, but we also want to make ourselves an institution of choice, NIDA of choice, where all institutions would want to trade from NIDA facilities."
The minister further reckoned that solving the area's challenges requires collective effort, and he called on both government agencies and offices and the local traders with the broader business community to contribute meaningfully towards solutions.
"Our doors are open as a ministry to share with them, to listen to them and to be advised by them so that together we can drive the NIDA agenda, which is actually to provide facilities for business."
A local trader, Vilho Nanyeni, spoke to our news team following the minister's visit.
He remarked, "We have been here for quite some time. We have welcomed customers since we began trading here. At times, business is good, while at other times it falters, but we are grateful to the customers for visiting us, as it allows us to earn something. It is not easy to stay at home."