Erongo region's first "Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee Meeting" was held at the Usab Community Hall in Karibib on Wednesday, 17 October 2012. Honorable Governor Cleophas Mutjavikua was the chairperson and officially welcomed officials from government institutions (Erongo), councilor, traditional leaders and their representatives.
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| Govenor Mutjavikua (middel) with Karibib Councilor, U. Xougub (L) and the audience (R) |
Governor Mutjavikua made his intentions clear with regard to the restructuring of the old Regional Emergency Management Unit (REMU) to the new Regional Disaster Risk Management Committee (RDRMC) in order to comply with the newly promulgated/adopted Disaster Risk Management Act (Act No.12 of 2012). This will include the reactivation of the Inter Ministerial Forum in Erongo region, where all government institutions in Erongo will meet on a quarterly basis to coordinate planning and integrate implementation of regional risk management activities. Constituency Development Committees headed by Councillors will coordinate activities at a constituency level and will directly feed into the RDRMC. Mr. R. Burger from the Ministry of Agriculture suggested that the Forum for Integrated Resource Management (FIRM) and Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) approaches should be used by rural stakeholders (Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Farmers Associations, Conservancies etc) to assist rural communities to mitigate disaster risk scenarios (drought, water problems, Farmer wildlife conflict, invasive species, bush encroachment, animal disease etc.).
Honorable Mutjavikua encouraged people to be prepared at community level with regard to fire preparedness, food production (like wheat production in the riverbeds at Okombahe and Otjimbingwe as well as other agronomy and livestock projects) and flash floods (damage to water infrastructure). The need for local food production was clearly illustrated by the recent transport strikes in South Africa, which left the selves of shops in Namibia dangerously under-stocked.
A drop in the price of Uranium is a serious concern for the region. Uranium mines in Erongo are currently operating at a loss with the uranium price at U$ 42/ton with the break-even cost estimated at U$ 75/ton. This has already caused ARIVA to stop operations. A further fall out could be a devastating blow to the socio-economic situation in Erongo region. There is however hope for an increase in the price of uranium in the near future.
Honorable Mutjavikua encouraged people to be prepared at community level with regard to fire preparedness, food production (like wheat production in the riverbeds at Okombahe and Otjimbingwe as well as other agronomy and livestock projects) and flash floods (damage to water infrastructure). The need for local food production was clearly illustrated by the recent transport strikes in South Africa, which left the selves of shops in Namibia dangerously under-stocked.
A drop in the price of Uranium is a serious concern for the region. Uranium mines in Erongo are currently operating at a loss with the uranium price at U$ 42/ton with the break-even cost estimated at U$ 75/ton. This has already caused ARIVA to stop operations. A further fall out could be a devastating blow to the socio-economic situation in Erongo region. There is however hope for an increase in the price of uranium in the near future.
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| Deputy Police Commissioner Erongo, A. Nelumbu (L). C. Maketo from Min. of Environment (M). N. Hengari from the Erongo Regional Council (R) |
Mr. C. Maketu, Erongo regional head of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) informed the house that the ministry will construct a water point for the migrating elephants (Ugab area) at Ozondati in the Daures constituency in the near future. This will alleviate farmer wildlife conflict in the area. The borehole and windmill will be paid for with funds from the Game Product Trust Fund.
Read more about Farmer Wildlife Conflict at: http://agrialert.blogspot.com/2012/04/farmer-wildlife-conflict-elephants.html
Mr. Usurua from Rural Water Supply (Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry: [MAWF]) was concerned with the depletion of subterranean water aquifers in Erongo region as a result of the over exploitation of boreholes. As a result 28 boreholes are contaminated (nitrites) and no longer fit for human or livestock consumption. He also informed the house that a 200 km pipeline from the Swakoppoort dam will supply water to the Otjimbingwe area in the near future. A permanent solution must still be found for water supply in the Daures constituency. A possible solution is desalination of seawater. ARIVA currently has a surplus of desalinated seawater available. The Daures water problem will be addressed by a water project (MAWF) under the 4th National Development Plan.
The meeting was concluded at 12:35. Participants was treated with a delightful light lunch before they dispersed. The date and venue for the next RDRMC meeting will be communicated from the Governor's office to all stakeholders.
Read more about Farmer Wildlife Conflict at: http://agrialert.blogspot.com/2012/04/farmer-wildlife-conflict-elephants.html
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| Mr. Usurua (standing) from Rural Water Supply (MAWF), Karibib with Mr. /Uirab (R) from Erongo Regional Farmers Union looking on |
The meeting was concluded at 12:35. Participants was treated with a delightful light lunch before they dispersed. The date and venue for the next RDRMC meeting will be communicated from the Governor's office to all stakeholders.
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