Eugenia Moche
Governor of the //Kharas region, Dawid Gertze launched a regional tour designed to strengthen government and community engagement, monitoring development projects, and ensure accountability in service delivery.
The initiative, which began in Ariamsvlei on 10 August 2026, provided an opportunity for community members to raise issues directly with decision-makers.
Residents of Ariamsvlei gathered to meet the governor, Karasburg East constituency councillor James Hawanga, and senior officials from delegated ministries and agencies.
The engagement raised concerns ranging from sewer networks and waste management to land allocation for settlement, border expansion, and the state of the open market.
The delegation visited the Ariamsvlei Border Post to observe daily operations and identify challenges faced in executing its mandate.
They also inspected Location 64, where sewerage infrastructure continues to strain the constituency and settlement offices due to budgetary constraints.
Furthermore, the directorate of veterinary services conducted a practical demonstration of measures implemented to prevent and manage the threat of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD).
With outbreaks in neighbouring South Africa posing a risk to Namibia’s livestock sector, the demonstration provided the delegation first-hand view into veterinary control measures in safeguarding the countries’ agricultural economy and spreading control into the region.
Residents were informed of the //Kharas Regional Council’s 2026/2027 Procurement Plan, which will allocate approximately N$4 million for projects and services in Ariamsvlei.
The plan includes the procurement of a JCB/front loader valued at N$1.6 million to support road maintenance and municipal works, N$300 000 for fire brigade equipment to strengthen emergency response, and N$400 000 for the valuation roll and demarcation of the settlement to support orderly land administration.
A further N$500 000 has been allocated for land administration, while N$50 000 will go toward basic infrastructure services.
Environmental management will be boosted by N$100 000 for the construction of a refuse dumpsite, and the Road Fund Administration has earmarked N$1.6 million for the construction of interlocked paved roads in priority areas of the settlement.
The information-sharing session also highlighted information on government services delivered by various government officials, ministries and agencies, including from various ministries, the Road Fund Administration; NamWater Rural Water Supply, and the Namibia Revenue Agency.
Officials outlined opportunities available to residents, explaining how communities can access government programmes more effectively.
The regional tour is being conducted in two phases, from 10 to 14 August and 31 August to 4 September 2026.
It will cover communities across seven constituencies in the //Kharas Region, combining engagement and information-sharing sessions with site visits to capital and development projects to assess progress, challenges and strengthen accountability in government projects.
The first phase covers Ariamsvlei, Aussenkehr, Rosh Pinah, Oranjemund, and Aus, while the second phase will extend to Aroab, Keetmanshoop, Koës, Tses, Berseba, and Bethanie.
The governor and his delegation will proceed to Noordoewer and Aussenkehr after Ariamsvlei, where they will be received by Karasburg West constituency councillor Katrina Cloete.
