The Omaheke Regional Council, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication, and Social Welfare, is engaging the residents not to abuse their social grants.

The outreach programme is aimed at ensuring that social grants are directed to those who are genuinely in need without subjecting them to the cycle of debt and exploitation.

Speaking at the Oitara settlement in the Okorukambe Constituency, the Chairperson of the Omaheke Regional Council, Ignatius Kariseb, stressed that misuse of social grants is widespread.

A group of cyclists from Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa have undertaken a 1,800-kilometre ride to raise awareness about the significance of the Trans-Kalahari Corridor (TKC). 

The cycling initiative is a first step towards the elimination of tariff barriers erected at borders and within countries. 

The team embarked on this journey from Rustenburg in South Africa to Walvis Bay in the Erongo Region. 

Officials of the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) are engaging stakeholders in the Omaheke Region on the general voter registration process.

This is in preparation for the general registration of voters from June 3 until August 1, ahead of the national elections on November 27.

ECN Regional Electoral Officer Josef Amwaandi stressed the importance of the session, touching on the code of conduct and voter education. 

The Namibian Standards Institution (NSI) is engaging key stakeholders on the significance of the Metrology Act of 2022.

The law is concerned with measurements and their influence on economic transactions, human health, and the environment.

Speaking at the information event in Gobabis, the Head of Metrology at the NSI, Simasiku Matali, explained that the Act to be introduced soon will provide for the administration and supervision of metrology.

After years of delay due to limited funds, 40 houses will be constructed at Aminuis in the Omaheke Region under the Build Together Project.

The construction of the houses, under the auspices of the Omaheke Regional Council, is expected to be completed before the end of this year. 

This was made known by Aminuis Constituency Councillor Peter Kazongominja in an interview with nbc News, who says the project is long overdue and owning a house is not a luxury but a necessity.

The late rains towards the end of March have left farmers doubting the survival of their farming enterprises.

On top of the late rains, farmers are unhappy with the rock-bottom prices they receive for their livestock at auctions. 

The nbc News team engaged some farmers in the communal areas of the region.

A seasonal farmer in the Epukiro Constituency, Charles Nguvauva, told nbc News team that this year started off badly as their earth dam was drying up. However, the area recently received close to 200 millimetres of rain.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has called on the leaders of the Gobabis Municipality to promote unity amongst themselves in order to address much-needed development in the town.

Uutoni made the remark after lengthy discussions with local authority leaders, staff members, and the community of Gobabis.

This comes after reports of tension among Gobabis Municipality councillors. 

Eight farmers from Gobabis were arrested for trespassing at Farm Witsand in the district of Witvlei.

The group moved into Farm Witsand on Saturday, which belongs to the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform, with their livestock and other belongings.

According to the information obtained from the police, eight farmers moved into Farm Witsand, occupied the farm warehouse premises, and erected shacks without authorization.

Strong winds and heavy rainfall have caused damage to more than 10 households at Onderombapa, in the Aminuis Constituency. 

The hailstorm left some family members homeless. 

72-year-old Naomi Kandjii, a resident of Onderombapa village, narrated that a strong wind with heavy rainfall that lasted for half an hour caught them off guard and caused damage to properties and also to her recently bought vehicle.

The pensioner adds that the incident left her in distress, adding to her existing challenging health condition. 

Some members of the Gobabis Management Committee expressed dismay, saying they feel undermined by fellow councillors as decisions taken at meetings are not implemented timely.

This, they say, delays proposed development plans. 

Speaking at the media briefing, the Chairperson of the Management Committee, Isaac De Beer, stated that he is disappointed by the way some members of the management committee operate.

He said some fellow MC members override decisions taken and, in the end, just do as they please, something that affects operations.