Windhoek: Minister of Finance Ericah Shafudah on Tuesday highlighted significant progress on priority projects, including health and agriculture for the 2025/2026 financial year.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Shafudah tabled the country's mid-year budget review policy in Parliament, stating that significant progress in advancing food security during the 2025 financial year was made in line with the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) goals. These goals prioritize sustainable agricultural development, enhanced productivity, and resilience against climate shock.
Shafudah emphasized that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has maximized efforts to scale up production across the national green schemes. The target is to achieve over 80 percent land utilization during the 2025 summer cropping season. The top national green schemes, Etunda, Sikondo, and Ndonga Linena, accumulated a total harvest of 5340, 720, and 6840 tonnes from maize, potatoes, wheat, and onions, respectively. 'These schemes are instrumental in reducing hunger, improving household nutrition, and strengthening national self-sufficiency,' she said.
In terms of health infrastructure, the minister reported 85 percent progress on the construction of a maternity ward and pediatric unit at the Onandjokwe hospital. Meanwhile, the 500-bed capacity Khomas District Hospital in Havana is at 40 percent completion, with ongoing renovations and the installation of an oxygen-generating system at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital.
Further, the minister discussed efforts to formalize informal settlements and provide access to basic essential services such as water, sanitation, and affordable housing. Nine new townships are being gazetted, including Brukharos in Keetmanshoop and Mariental Extension 5 in the Kharas and Hardap regions, respectively.
Shafudah also announced that 2160 houses were built in all 14 regions by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN). The highest number of houses, 392, were in the Erongo region, with all houses provided with proper sanitation.