A ground breaking ceremony was held last week for the construction of the State of the art University of Namibia (UNAM) South campus in Keetmanshoop.
Councillor for Keetmanshoop Hilma Nikanor said a lot of money had been injected to develop the town and residents as well as private businesses will benefit from the development.
“I’m not saying that employment in these and other projects should be reserved for people in the area, but it makes sense that they should receive preference to assist with poverty alleviation in the area,” said Nikanor.
The new business mall is expected to be ready by November this year, many prospective businesses have expressed their interest in taking up space at the mall.
This development is the first for Keetmanshop and the customs and excise regional office is set to open on Saturday.
Nikanor confirmed that her office has also appealed to the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources for the extension of the Keetmanshoop fish farm.
Through the use of water from fish ponds, the aquaculture project consists of fish farming, gardening and a chicken farm benefitinglocal communities.
“I appeal to the ministry of fisheries to speedily avail funds for the expansion of this project in order for us to provide more opportunities to locals and for them to acquire the necessary expertise and skills to make this project a resounding success,” she stressed.
Despite the numerous investments in the town, Nikanor noted that there is a still a significant shortfall in the number of industrial activities, both small and large scale. She also admitted that proposed projects, such as a garment and furniture factory, would provide crucial employment in the area that is plagued by severe unemployment, particularly among the youth.
Nikanor expressed her concern over the delays in implementing the N$3billion dollar Neckartal Dam project and said:
“It is disturbing to see the delays in the Neckartal Dam project. I continue to fight for the final implementation of the project. It’s worth fighting for the town, the region and the country as a whole,”.
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