By: Justicia Shipena
Khomas governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua says 24 845 tons of charcoal were produced during the region’s 2021/22 financial year.
McLeod-Katjirua said this during her state of region address in the capital, Windhoek, on Friday.
She also said 14 112 tons of firewood were harvested in the Khomas region.
“24 845 tons of charcoal was produced and 14 112 tons of firewood harvested in Khomas region,” she said.
According to her, the environment ministry faced devastating veld fires which affected vegetation and wildlife habitats.
“In the Khomas region, Daan Viljoen Game park was severely affected, where approximately 90% of the park was destroyed by fires that occurred during June, July and August 2021,” she stated.
She said the poaching of wildlife animals for meat and high-value species for their game products continued unabated.
During the period under review, she revealed that five poaching incidents of high-value species were recorded.
While, 38 wildlife crime cases were registered, of which 16 were for high-value species.
Additionally, 81 suspects were arrested for wildlife crimes, of which 30 were for high-value species such as pangolin, rhino and elephant.
McLeod-Katjirua expressed that Daan Viljoen Game park continues to be prone to subsistence poaching and illegal wood harvesting.
“Therefore, I seriously appeal to all those residents who are making themselves guilty of this illegal poaching to refrain from this conduct,” she warns.
She stated that an electricity transformer was installed for staff houses at Daan Viljoen Game park. She said this was done through the directorate of Wildlife and national parks, which secured funding from KfW.
At the same time, she added that a lot of the animals are released at Daan Viljoen Game Park.
“Trouble-causing baboons are usually destroyed, and in September 2021 alone, fifteen baboons were destroyed in the Ludwigsdorf and Cimbebasia areas,” said McLeod-Katjirua.
PROJECTS UNDER THE REGIONAL COUNCIL
On the matters of the Khomas regional council, McLeod-Katjirua said the council successfully connected a 4km water pipeline of N$341 239.50 at Garutes in the Windhoek Rural constituency.
“Council erected two 10 000 litres water tanks and one cattle trough at Garutes in the Windhoek Rural constituency at a total cost of N$341 239.50, and a total amount of 4.3 million is budgeted for the more water intervention activities for the 2022/23 financial year,” she said.
Moreover, 36 income-generating projects were funded by the council, ranging from catering businesses, fashion and design, and laundry services at a total cost of N$731 676.72.
“An amount of N$2.5 million is budgeted for the 2022/23 FY programme. N$2 896 116.00 was allocated to the division, of which N$1,387,785.00 is utilised to fund different projects within Windhoek Rural Constituency.
Micro Finance.”
She also said 84 portable toilets were completed in Windhoek Rural, namely; Hamis, Dordabis, Hatsamas and Opdam.
“Toilets are constructed with a total amount of N$1 231 988.20. A total number of 456 community members benefited from this project. The project has also created temporary employment for 37 during the construction period,” she added.
McLeod-Katjirua further said 74 portable toilets were also constructed to a tune of N$ 1 083 271.20 at Dordabis, Stink Water, Hondingaan, Bloukrans and Nieb.
During the time, the regional council reached 199 vulnerable individuals living with HIV in nine constituencies with food parcels.
“An amount of N$ 302 500.00 is budgeted for the HIV/AIDS coordination.”
The Khomas regional council availed a budget amount of N$ 500 000 to procure blankets and winter clothing for people without shelter.
This programme was implemented in June 2022 across ten constituencies in the region.
