Rural-urban migration a major challenge for Khomas
Insufficient resources
People are flocking to the Khomas Region to seek better opportunities.
Rural-urban migration is the root cause of the majority of the challenges facing the Khomas Region, leading to increased competition for the available resources.
This is according to the Khomas regional council’s 2021/2022 programme implementation report, which was submitted to the National Council.
The report found that people are flocking to the region to seek better opportunities.
"The problem is not only hampering the region’s development plans, but also affecting service delivery such as access to clean water and sanitation, classrooms and the placement of learners in our region."
Regarding the allocation of financial resources, over the past years, the Khomas regional council has not received development budget allocations, despite the submission of several proposals, it said.
"The regional council used its own resources to implement programmes and projects."
According to the report, a lack of consultation on development planning by sector ministries has hampered better coordination of development interventions in the region.
Constraints
The rate of decentralisation as well as the effective integration of delegated functions within the regional council remains a challenge that constrains the effective and efficient delivery of essential services to communities, the report explained.
Moreover, the late national budget approval affects project implementation, resulting in projects being carried forward to the following financial year.
It also noted that most parts of the region’s land fall within the City of Windhoek’s boundaries and privately owned farms. Inadequate land for development makes it difficult for the region to affect development.
The report added that the eviction of generational farmworkers by farm owners, who end up being dumped in corridors along the national highways, remains a challenge for the regional council.
“This is made worse by the fact that the Khomas Region does not have communal areas.”
Youth unemployment
The report further highlighted that unemployment - particularly youth unemployment - is in the range of 50% and remains a challenge for the region. Efforts are underway to support unemployed young artisans to gain self-employment opportunities to utilise their skills and gain an income.
It recommended that a decentralisation programme be fast-tracked and that all delegated functions must be well-resourced for improved service delivery and to address the needs of the region.
"Further decentralisation of functions to all regions will curb the challenge of rural-urban migration."
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This is according to the Khomas regional council’s 2021/2022 programme implementation report, which was submitted to the National Council.
The report found that people are flocking to the region to seek better opportunities.
"The problem is not only hampering the region’s development plans, but also affecting service delivery such as access to clean water and sanitation, classrooms and the placement of learners in our region."
Regarding the allocation of financial resources, over the past years, the Khomas regional council has not received development budget allocations, despite the submission of several proposals, it said.
"The regional council used its own resources to implement programmes and projects."
According to the report, a lack of consultation on development planning by sector ministries has hampered better coordination of development interventions in the region.
Constraints
The rate of decentralisation as well as the effective integration of delegated functions within the regional council remains a challenge that constrains the effective and efficient delivery of essential services to communities, the report explained.
Moreover, the late national budget approval affects project implementation, resulting in projects being carried forward to the following financial year.
It also noted that most parts of the region’s land fall within the City of Windhoek’s boundaries and privately owned farms. Inadequate land for development makes it difficult for the region to affect development.
The report added that the eviction of generational farmworkers by farm owners, who end up being dumped in corridors along the national highways, remains a challenge for the regional council.
“This is made worse by the fact that the Khomas Region does not have communal areas.”
Youth unemployment
The report further highlighted that unemployment - particularly youth unemployment - is in the range of 50% and remains a challenge for the region. Efforts are underway to support unemployed young artisans to gain self-employment opportunities to utilise their skills and gain an income.
It recommended that a decentralisation programme be fast-tracked and that all delegated functions must be well-resourced for improved service delivery and to address the needs of the region.
"Further decentralisation of functions to all regions will curb the challenge of rural-urban migration."
[email protected]
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