World Water Day observed

Countries around the world observed World Water Day on Wednesday.

At Otjiwarongo, residents of the informal settlements there used the occasion to call on their municipality to set up water points close to their households.

The United Nations' World Water Day is a reminder of how essential clean water and sanitation are to live.

The government is making efforts to ensure that all Namibians have access to clean water.

Otjiwarongo Municipality to roll out housing units' decongestion plans

Otjiwarongo Mayor, Kandiwapa Shivute says the council will roll out its housing units' decongestion plans.

Shivute says as initially agreed with residents, the council will follow resolutions passed in December 2016 to eliminate all Single Quarters at the town as they are considered inhumane and overcrowded.

Shivute says to decongest 30 units which are currently divided into four sub-units, housing 120 households in total, on lease agreement.

National broadcaster urged to focus coverage in rural areas

The Information and Communication Technology Minister, Dr Peya Mushelenga, has urged reporters of the national broadcaster to also focus their coverage in rural areas.

Dr. Mushelenga made the call when he visited the Otjiwarongo nbc Regional Contribution Center after he opened the communication officers training workshop in the town.

Dr. Mushelenga said there is a constant need for rural development and current affairs to be featured on the daily news platforms of the national broadcaster.

Otjiwarongo motorists worry about potholes

Motorists at Otjiwarongo are calling on the local municipality to fix potholes that they say are damaging their vehicles and slowing down their business. 

The wide and deep potholes are a nightmare to motorists who fear they might cause accidents as they negotiate around them and are costing them money as tires are constantly damaged.  

Taxi drivers shared their concerns.

"Our business is running slow because of these potholes, then there is the fixing of cars our cars are getting old day by day, we need to change this."

2023 Namibian Newspaper Cup launched at Otjiwarongo

The 2023 edition of the popular Namibian Newspaper Cup was launched at the town of Otjiwarongo on Tuesday.

The launch, which coincided with the draw, took place at the Cesi Bon Bon Hotel in Otjiwarongo and was attended by the who is who of local football and other stake holders.

Speaker after speaker spoke highly of the tournament, which has become the springboard to greener pastures for players in the under-20 category.

The tournament to be bankrolled by Standard Bank as the title sponsor will also enjoy the full support of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council.

All learners placed in schools in Otjozondjupa Region

About 287 Grade 8 learners who could not secure school placement in the Otjozondjupa Region have finally returned to class.

The learners are now accommodated in classrooms at different project schools in Otjiwarongo and Okahandja.

Otjozondjupa Education Director, Josephine Mutenda told nbc News that learners returned to class this week.

Mutenda says eight learners in Okahandja Circuit did not manage to secure placement at the start of this academic year, while Otjiwarongo had 279 pupils on a waiting list.

Ministry of Health and Social Services to build new hospitals across the country

The Ministry of Health and Social Services will build new hospitals and upgrade others in the country.

The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr. Kalumbi Shangula says, the building and upgrading of some of the hospitals will allow patients to get special treatment in their regions without having to travel long distances. 

The district hospitals will be constructed in Windhoek, Nkurenkuru, Ondangwa and Otjiwarongo and a referral hospital in the Oshana Region is also on the books.

Ombili residents Otjiwarongo receive hippo rollers

Residents of the Ombili informal settlement at Otjiwarongo will no longer have to carry heavy buckets of water on their heads after a generous benefactor donated hippo rollers to  50 households.

Although it has become a daily practice for informal settlement residents to walk distances to fetch water at community taps one, can never get used to the discomfort that comes with carrying up to 20 liters or more on the head as it causes pain or even long term injuries to the neck and the spinal cord.

MVA urges drivers to educate passengers on use of fire extinguishers

The Motor Vehicle Accident (MVA) Fund is urging drivers to educate passengers on the use of fire extinguishers before embarking on their journey.

MVA's Injury Prevention and Crash Assessment Coordinator Daniel Mouton, who joined the police at the roadblock 17 kilometres to Otavi from Otjiwarongo, says it is commendable that drivers are observing traffic rules and regulations.

This includes adhering to the speed limit and using seat belts while the vehicle's lights and tires are also working and in good condition.