Thread: Pohamba in Oshikoto

From SWAPO Party

By Levi Upula

Oshikoto Region became a hive of activities last Sunday as thousands of people flocked to the Regional Capital, Omuthiya, for a SWAPO Party rally that was addressed by President Hifikepunye Pohamba.

Hundreds of people on bicycles and in cars bedecked with the blue, red and green colours of SWAPO Party marched the streets and converged at a site where they were addressed by the President on his campaign trail.



Eenhana in Ohangwena Region and Omuthiya in Oshikoto Region became famous last year when they handed the Rally for Democracy and Progress, RDP, a stunning defeat when they held a by-election for the Eenhana Constituency and local authority elections respectively.

At Omuthiya, SWAPO Party won with more than two/thirds majority, taking six seats in the seven-seat council. None of the opposition parties that contested the elections scored enough votes to gain a seat. DTA got five votes, CoD 26 and RDP 123.

“The surplus from the SWAPO Party enabled RDP to get one seat,” said President Pohamba sarcastically. “It is therefore very obvious that we are in charge of the development of this town and indeed of the Oshikoto Region.

“You turned out in large numbers (82%) to vote for your new councilors during the last council elections. You equally conducted yourselves as usual in a peaceful and calm manner and voted overwhelmingly for the SWAPO Party.

“During the coming elections, I urge you to do the same. Vote for your future by voting for me and for the SWAPO Party. SWAPO Party is a tried and tested political party that delivers on its promises.”

Oshikoto has seen tremendous growth since its proclamation as a town last year. Its regional office moved from Tsumeb to Omuthiya last year, following the completion of its state-of-the-art Regional Council Office, built at a cost of N$22 million. The Omuthiya Regional Council built the Offices of the Omuthiya Town Council and a warehouse to the tune of N$8 million.

Infrastructure for the provision of facilities such as water and sewerage works was also built by the Oshikoto Regional Council. This cost more than N$15 million. Another N$20 million has been set aside to build additional facilities.

At independence, Omuthiya was one of the neglected areas in Oshikoto Region, said President Pohamba. Today, there are new facilities such as potable water, electricity to mention but a few. Construction for a 64-bed District Hospital will start soon and will be completed by the end of next year.

“In the near future, Omuthiya will also witness the construction of silos which will be used to store surplus harvest of mahangu and other crops,” said President Pohamba. “This is in line with our strategy to improve food security in the country. I wish to encourage our farmers to produce more food to ensure that our country can feed itself and to reduce food imports.”

As in his speeches elsewhere, President Pohamba urged the people to vote for SWAPO Party and its Presidential candidate in the coming elections. “Let us march together in unity towards a landslide victory in November,” said President Pohamba.