Otjozondjupa Governor John ||Khamuseb has called for intensified cooperation between the government and stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of national development objectives to reach communities.

||Khamuseb said this at the opening of the four-day third National Council and Regional Councils Consultative Conference in Otjiwarongo, Otjozondjupa Region.

||Khamuseb says this cooperation is needed, as ongoing development cannot be measured based on infrastructure constructed or programmes implemented, but also by the extent to which people's quality of life is improved.

"We must therefore continue to strengthen coordination, information-sharing and constructive engagement between our institutions. Such cooperation will enable us to make better use of available resources, avoid duplication of efforts and ensure that development interventions are properly aligned with community needs."

||Khamuseb further stressed that communities should be given meaningful opportunities to participate in identifying their development priorities and in monitoring such implementation of programmes.

" Inclusive development means ensuring that the benefits of development reach all sections of society, including communities in rural and underserved areas, women, young people, persons with disabilities, vulnerable households and other groups whose voices may sometimes not receive sufficient attention. In this regard, Regional Councils are best positioned to deliver on this goal."

||Khamuseb also raised concerns of regional communities not accessing full benefits of economic and social opportunities in the agriculture and  other emerging sectors.

"our communities continue to face challenges that require sustained attention, including unemployment, poverty, access to water and sanitation, infrastructure development, access to quality public services and the creation of sustainable economic opportunities.CUT..We must ensure that development opportunities are accessible to our communities and that citizens are empowered to participate meaningfully in the economic and social development of their respective areas."

The Governor expressed the conference theme - "Enhancing Participatory Democracy and Inclusive Development" - comes at an opportune time to dissect all.