MCA improves Omaheke facilities
Education Minister Abraham Iyambo and US Ambassador Wanda Nesbitt laying the cornerstone for the Community Skills Development Center at Gobabis. This is the first MCA project in the Omaheke Region, where in total NS90 million of MCA funds will be spent.
The festive ceremony marked the beginning of the construction of the COSDEC training facility, a Regional Study and Resource Center (RSRC), a State Veterinary Office (SVO) as well as the upgrading of three schools in the Omaheke Region to the combined value of approximately N$90 million. The projects are funded by the U.S. government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) through the Millennium Challenge Account Namibia (MCA).
“We are thrilled and thankful for the support that our country receives from MCA Namibia and the American government,” said Iyambo at the event. “This will empower our people to create a better future.”
U.S. Ambassador to Namibia, Wanda Nesbitt said “Education is the key that unlocks the door to economic prosperity. We know that investing in education means people will have a better chance at getting a good job or starting their own business.”
The N$10 million skills development centre will provide skills training in high priority areas such as office administration, bricklaying and carpentry. The RSRC, often referred to as “Knowledge Center”, will consist of an Audio Visual Center, computer laboratory and a library with space for 35,000 books. The 1,800 square metre building of N$47 million has a hall that can accommodate 125 people and will get its electricity from a huge solar panel array on the roof.
The three schools that will be upgraded are Epako Junior Secondary School, Gustav Kandjii Secondary School and Rietquelle Junior Secondary School. The expansion and upgrade of the schools cost approximately N$30 million.
The State Veterinary Office (SVO) at Epukiro will provide health facilities to regional farmers to improve animal husbandry and market access and will cost close to N$19 million.
