Windhoek: Tsumkwe Constituency Councillor, Petrus Mutji, has set his sights on establishing local agricultural schemes to reduce the community's dependence on government support. In a recent interview, Mutji reflected on his tenure since being elected and emphasized the area's potential due to its vast and fertile land.

According to Namibia Press Agency, Mutji expressed optimism about the potential for residents to achieve self-sufficiency and generate income through agricultural projects. "I've really been considering agricultural schemes, you know, like the ones in Kavango, the ones in the northern areas, the ones in Katima. I want the people of Tsumkwe to be self-reliant so we can at least relieve the pressure from the government," Mutji stated.

The councillor noted that Tsumkwe already has an existing agricultural scheme, though it has been reduced from 65 hectares to 45 and is currently inactive. His office is actively seeking solutions to revive this scheme and establish additional agricultural projects within the constituency.

In addition to agriculture, Mutji has been a proponent for establishing a vocational training centre in Tsumkwe. He highlighted the challenges faced by learners who have limited opportunities to pursue further education after high school due to the lack of local facilities. "If we can bring the centres close to them, at least then we can also uplift the youth and even older people who want to study," he stressed.

Mutji also identified the need for a business registration centre in Tsumkwe, as residents currently face difficulties in registering businesses without local services. He suggested that the ministry or BIPA could consider opening a centre in the area to facilitate this process.

He encouraged the residents of Tsumkwe Constituency to collaborate on ideas and projects that could benefit the community, reducing their reliance on government interventions.