By: Fransina Nghidengwa

The economic strength of the Otjozondjupa region is driven by the mining, agriculture, and tourism sectors.

This was stated by the governor James Uerikua last week, during his State of Region.

Uerikua says that the region positions itself as a major contributor to the local economy; noting that the six mines in the region have observed development within the mining sector.

This comes however, as b2Gold, the region’s and the country’s largest gold mine in April announced that it would, in the coming years, be closing its operations and retrenching its workers.

While, last month, the Okanjande graphite mine, located a few kilometres from the region indicated its intention to lay off all its employees.

“I urge our mining sector to be very sensitive when it comes to labour related matters,” he said.

He urged the Mines and Energy and Labour ministers to work together to safeguard the workforce in the mining industry. He called upon the mining sector to pay serious attention and adhere to the provisions of the local labour act.

“The employees in the mining sector must not be exploited but rather safeguarded because they are the driver of the economy,” he said.

According to Uerikua, the region positions itself as one of the major contributors to the national growth of domestic product as well as the local economy.

“We boast the abundant and quality organic natural grown meat sector which is free of genetically modified organisms (GMO), both in commercial and communal areas,” he said.

The region has about 796,948 livestock which includes cattle, sheep, and goats making the region the highest in livestock numbers.

70% of the region’s inhabitants are dependent primarily, either directly or indirectly on the agriculture industry.

The Agriculture Ministry has procured and distributed some machinery and equipment through its program of Agricultural Mechanisation and Seed Improvement Project (NAMSIP).

“I urge you to be at this centre and at the helm of ensuring that these equipment and machinery indeed reach all the corners of our region,” he said.

In fulfilling its objectives of employment creation opportunities the ministry is seeking 30 contractual farm machinery operators from the region who will be undergoing intensive training to operate the machinery in all constituencies.

The region, together with Omaheke, is being piloted for the dairy value chain development scheme, which aims to make Namibia self-sufficient in milk and dairy products through the modernisation of their rural dairy industry.

The governor said that this would positively impact income generation, employment creation, and nutrition status of the economy.