Namport casts its social net to the banks of the Zambezi

As the major maritime port of entry, the success of Walvis Bay depends largely on the successful development of efficient trade corridors. One of these, the Trans Caprivi Corridor linking Namibia to Zambia. leaves Namibian territory at the far end of the Caprivi passing through Katima Mulilo on the banks of the Zambezi River. Recognising Katima’s importance as a vital link in the trade corridors, the Namibian Ports Authority recently funded the construction of a school hall at Brendan Simbwaye Primary School in Katima.
In a statement released earlier this week, the Namport Board of Directors said they are in agreement that this is N$700,000 well spent. The official handover ceremony was attended by the Governor of the Caprivi Region, Hon. Lawrence Samupofu, the Mayor of Katima Mulilo, Cllr Charles Mukaya Matengu and the CEO of Namport, Mr Bisey Uirab.
Uirab said he hopes the school hall will create a productive and positive learning environment for the learners, teachers and other community members, thus improving the livelihood of the entire region.
On behalf of the community, Samupofu, expressed his gratitude.
Namport said it is committed to capacity building and skills development since a country can only be as developed as the capacity of its human resources.
It is for this reason that Namport has in 2006, established a Social Investment Fund (NSIF) focusing on education, health, and entrepreneurial development. To date the fund has invested over N$20 million in various projects across the country.
For the 2013 calendar year, Namport has pledged another N$3.2milion to the following projects:
Grade 10 Career Guidance on wheels N$500,000 (Erongo Region), National Spell Quiz Bee N$200,000 (Erongo Region), N$310,000 for construction of an administration building at the Erkki Nghimtina secondary school, (Ohangwena Region), N$150,000 for construction of classrooms at the Edundja secondary school (Ohangwena Region), N$167,000 forAngra Penquina secondary school’s ICT Laboratory (Karas Region), N$300,000 to NIMT for computers (Erongo Region),  N$400,000 for capital projects at Dagbreek School (Khomas Region), N$3 million to the Polytechnic of Namibia for an endowed Chair of Logistics (Khomas Region).
Namport said these are evidence of the fact that the Namibian Ports Authority’s focus is not only in the Erongo or the Karas Regions, where their operations are based, but across the entire nation as their operations has a direct impact on the national economy.