'We have done our best' - Pohamba

By Levi Upula and Esau Muzeu

President Hifikepunye Pohamba says he is satisfied with what the government has achieved over the last five years, despite many challenges that have yet to be overcome.

Addressing the last session of his first Cabinet which he appointed shortly after he was sworn in as President in 2005, President Pohamba said that many positive results had been recorded in different sectors.

He cited as examples the Green Scheme and Kalimbeza Rice Projects, which he said had gained momentum; road construction projects that had been carried out and schools and clinics that had been built over the past five years.

“As we look back at the past half a decade,” said President Pohamba, “we are proud that our country has continued to enjoy peace, stability and security and to be governed according to the constitutional framework adopted at independence 20 years ago.

“Yes, there were many challenges and the work demanded dedication and commitment. I am happy that we stood together as a team striving for a common goal to carry out the mandate bestowed upon us.

“This sense of unity made it possible for us to advance the agenda of development, service delivery and rural development that we set for ourselves in March 2005.”

The government, he said, had also recorded positive results in promoting foreign direct investment, citing the Old Mutual building, the opening of new uranium mines in the country, the construction of Ohorongo Cement Plant near Otavi and the ongoing exploration activities for oil and gas as examples.

Local investors have also done well over the past five years, citing the Super Diary Farm near Mariental, the Windhoek Hilton Hotel and investments by various companies in the fisheries sector as examples.

“These successes and many others give us the confidence to believe that our country remains on track despite other challenges that we face. “…we must feel proud that we have achieved a lot in creating prosperity for our country.

“We must be proud that during the past five years, we served the Namibian people through hard work, dedication and patriotism,” he said. “The new government to be inaugurated soon and indeed future governments will continue to build on the strong foundation that we as Members of Cabinet have helped to put in place.”