The Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council, Marlene Mbakera, has called for the construction of a referral hospital in Otjiwarongo. 
 
Mbakera was speaking during the National Planning Commission's visit to the Otjozondjupa Region.

Mbakera says Otjiwarongo has never been without good plans, but rather, its challenge lies in the execution of such plans. 

She spoke with regards to a referral hospital planned for Otjiwarongo, which has been featured in the expenditure framework for the past seven years now. 

A combined debt of N$15 million owed by residents of Kalkfeld to the Otjozondjupa Regional Council has led to water cuts for those in arrears.

This was confirmed by Regional Council Chairperson Marlene Mbakera, who says the debt hampers service delivery and development in the settlement.

Kalkfeld accounts for the highest debt in unpaid rates and taxes.

The inherited debt dates from the time when the settlement was downgraded from village council status in 1995.

The Otjozondjupa Regional Council has joined forces in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) to promote sustainable food systems in the region.

The two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding, which would see them come up with innovative programmes in food production aimed at improving the social and economic standards of the region's inhabitants.

Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chairperson Marlayn Mbakera said the agreement is needed as the country faces challenges in addressing food security and nutrition.

Otjiwarongo Constituency Councillor Marlayn Mbakera has been re-elected as Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council.

Mbakera, who served as Chairperson of the Otjozondjupa Management Committee for the past two and a half years, was the sole candidate for the position during the election process.

On the list of the Otjozondjupa Council's goals, Mbakera says it is to upgrade settlements to the status of a local authority, maximize land and housing delivery, and seek solutions for farmers in the corridors.

Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chairperson, Marlyn Mbakera, says they are hard at work to improve living conditions at Kalkfeld Settlement and move it towards Village Council status.
  
Council is busy introducing various developmental projects related to housing, water, and sewer connections, as well as empowering self-employed individuals.

Mbakera says the council has since 2021 allocated 120 plots, in two phases, at Dinosdal Settlement for residential housing units and business plots.

503 plots are on a waiting list for formalization.

With young people immensely affected by unemployment, the Otjozondjupa Regional Council is offering training to youth, with the aim of helping them develop as entrepreneurs.

Another group is undergoing training in poultry production.

The Otjozondjupa Regional Council says it will not promise young people jobs. Instead, it has built up a list of local residents who have come to visit their offices and enrolled them in various training programmes meant to prepare them for opportunities lying in wait.