Otjozondjupa Region Governor James Uerikua is calling for the inclusion of the agricultural sector in the Public Finance Management Bill.

The governor made this call during a stakeholder consultation meeting with the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises on the bill. 

Namibia is said to be lagging behind compared to other African countries that have implemented several public finance management laws.

The proposed bill aims to replace the State Finance Act, which has been in operation for over three decades.

Communities in the Otjozondupa Region cited unemployment, a lack of infrastructure, and bulk services as areas that need urgent attention.

The inhabitants revealed this to the officials of the National Planning Commission (NPC) during their visit to the region.

To finalise the 6th National Development Plan, the NPC is conducting consultations in the region for their input and to understand the challenges they face.

As Namibia celebrates 34 years of independence, the Kavango West is also celebrating 10 years since it was declared an independent region. 

In 2013, following a recommendation of the Fourth Delimitation Commission of Namibia and in preparation for the 2014 general election, the Kavango Region was split into Kavango East and West. 

Kavango West Region is located in the north-eastern part of Namibia and has a population of 123,266.

The region's eight constituencies are 99% rural.

Tension gripped a meeting where the Minister of Rural and Urban Development (MURD), Erastus Uutoni, announced the suspension of the entire Karasburg Council, appointing an administrator in their place. 

Pandemonium broke out with heated interjections, and residents showed clear divisions over the minister's decision to suspend the councillors.

One group questioned the legality of the decision, while another argued that aggrieved parties should seek legal recourse.

President Nangolo Mbumba has credited the late President Hage Geingob for the increased female representation in Parliament and the executive arm of government and for providing astute leadership at a time when the country needed it most.

The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) remains a dedicated partner for Namibia to ensure food security for all.

This commitment was reaffirmed at the handover of gardening tools and irrigation systems to 308 beneficiaries in the Ohangwena Region, valued at N$2.2 million.

FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture are the implementers of the project funded by the government of Japan.

N$25 million will cover four focal regions, namely Ohagwena, ||Kharas, Kavango West, and Zambwezi, to tackle climate-induced shocks.

The government will consider the establishment of a permanent National Secretariat to coordinate the activities and programmes of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) in Namibia.

President Nangolo Mbumba says the establishment of the Secretariat will ensure the full implementation of the APRM National Plan of Action.

President Mbumba launched the APRM Country Review Report at State House on Thursday.

The deputy Executive Director in the Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises, Louise Shixwameni, says the appointment of the right people on the boards of directors of public enterprises has improved compared to past struggles.

Shixwameni addressed the Public Enterprises Conference, which aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration among key stakeholders to drive the growth and success of public enterprises in the country.

National Democratic Party (NDP) president Martin Lukato Lukato says his party is advocating for a federal Namibia.

The grassroots politician stated his party's readiness for the 2024 and 2025 national elections.

The NDP leader held an impromptu media conference to share some outcomes of the "party workshop held in Windhoek".

During the briefing with his senior vice president, Brave Mwilima, Lukato says his party is advocating for a federal governance system.

The Erongo, Kavango West, Oshana, Oshikoto, and Kunene regional councils are among the best-performing in terms of governance in Namibia, while ||Kharas, Kavango East, and Zambezi regions are the worst.

This is according to a new report by the Institute of Public Policy Research, which sought to scrutinize issues of corruption, digital footprints, fiscal records, and service delivery for all local and regional authorities in Namibia.