Windhoek: The Namibia Special Risks Insurance Association (Nasria) has donated N$25 million to support economic development in all 14 regions. This initiative seeks to create opportunities, enhance livelihoods, and transform the futures of many Namibians.
According to Namibia Press Agency, the contribution was officially presented to the regional governors during a ceremony in Windhoek, attended by Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare, Finance Minister Ericah Shafudah, and Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa, among other key figures. Ngurare commended the initiative as a significant step towards unlocking local economic potential and addressing urgent socio-economic needs at grassroots level.
Emphasising the role of regional governors as the essential link between central government and local communities, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of targeted financial empowerment. 'As you may all know, our governors act as the political heads of their respective regions and serve as direct representatives of the President and the central government. The expectation is that they should connect the central government with regional councils, local authorities, communities, and traditional authorities' he remarked.
Ngurare emphasised that governors must facilitate the implementation of the 8th Administration's National Development Plan 6, focusing on several priority areas: agriculture, sports, youth empowerment, the creative industry, quality education and training, and quality health and social welfare, alongside land, housing and sanitation, water, tourism, transport, logistics, and telecommunications. 'The above, however, can only be realised if governors are adequately resourced with both human and financial resources. In the absence thereof, not much can be achieved. To meet these expectations, the governors' offices need to maintain collaboration with key stakeholders at national, regional and local government levels, including SOEs and the private sector,' he said.
The Prime Minister emphasised the government's commitment to economic development across all regions, expressing gratitude for Nasria's contributions and collaboration in advancing regional development. Ngurare added that the donation should be regarded as a resource for productive development. He urged governors to prioritise initiatives that address genuine needs, that can be effectively implemented, and have the potential to generate lasting economic value. He stated that the government must remain intentional in its interventions and decisive in its pursuit of tangible impact.
For Nasria, the contribution extends beyond a mere financial transfer; it is an investment in individuals, communities, and opportunities. The company said that while opportunities may vary across Namibia's regions, the common goal is to unlock potential, generate meaningful economic prospects, and enhance the future for Namibians.