Chairperson of the Oshikoto Regional Council, Samuel Shivute has urged ministries and agencies to engage regional councillors when engaging in activities in the regions.

Shivute made the statement during a meeting held at Omuthiya on Wednesday after the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare failed to identify beneficiaries in the region for its income-generating activities programme, which aims to empower individuals and communities by providing them with the resources to start or expand small businesses.

The programme for the Oshikoto Region ended on 30 May 2024 without beneficiaries having been identified, hence Shivute’s call for cooperation.

He said regional councillors are in the constituency areas and know what is happening on the ground.

Shivute further added that if they work hand in hand, they can easily solve the socio-economic challenges faced by communities as constituency offices are approached by people seeking funds, thus they know who needs help.

‘We know the
projects that are functioning and those that are not functioning because some people only want to grasp free opportunities,’ he stated.

Ministry of Gender Equality representative, Elizabeth Nakanyala said the income-generating activities programme is meant to help people from poor backgrounds to generate income through their businesses.

‘The ministry wants to elevate them to small and medium enterprises,’ said Nakanyala.

The ministry, through the programme, allocates amounts ranging between N.dollars 5 000 and N.dollars 30 000 and encourages women and people living with disabilities to apply.

‘The ministry does not fund people who get an income from the government or pensioners. It primarily targets unemployed men and women from 18 to 59 years old,’ Nakanyala said.

The Central Development Committee of the Oshikoto Region during Wednesday’s meeting shortlisted small businesses that qualify for the income-generating activities programme, specifically looking at businesses in arts and crafts and embroidery,
poultry rearing, tailoring, livestock sales and butchery and laundry.

Once the beneficiaries are selected, they also receive five days of training in how they can improve their businesses.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency

Chairperson of the Oshikoto Regional Council, Samuel Shivute has urged ministries and agencies to engage regional councillors when engaging in activities in the regions.

Shivute made the statement during a meeting held at Omuthiya on Wednesday after the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare failed to identify beneficiaries in the region for its income-generating activities programme, which aims to empower individuals and communities by providing them with the resources to start or expand small businesses.

The programme for the Oshikoto Region ended on 30 May 2024 without beneficiaries having been identified, hence Shivute’s call for cooperation.

He said regional councillors are in the constituency areas and know what is happening on the ground.

Shivute further added that if they work hand in hand, they can easily solve the socio-economic challenges faced by communities as constituency offices are approached by people seeking funds, thus they know who needs help.

‘We know the
projects that are functioning and those that are not functioning because some people only want to grasp free opportunities,’ he stated.

Ministry of Gender Equality representative, Elizabeth Nakanyala said the income-generating activities programme is meant to help people from poor backgrounds to generate income through their businesses.

‘The ministry wants to elevate them to small and medium enterprises,’ said Nakanyala.

The ministry, through the programme, allocates amounts ranging between N.dollars 5 000 and N.dollars 30 000 and encourages women and people living with disabilities to apply.

‘The ministry does not fund people who get an income from the government or pensioners. It primarily targets unemployed men and women from 18 to 59 years old,’ Nakanyala said.

The Central Development Committee of the Oshikoto Region during Wednesday’s meeting shortlisted small businesses that qualify for the income-generating activities programme, specifically looking at businesses in arts and crafts and embroidery,
poultry rearing, tailoring, livestock sales and butchery and laundry.

Once the beneficiaries are selected, they also receive five days of training in how they can improve their businesses.

Source: The Namibia Press Agency