Ndapwa Alweendo
30 June 2009
THE flood-stricken North can no longer follow the business-as-usual approach and needs to become pro-active and prepared in future, the Director General of the National Planning Commission, Peter Katjavivi, said when he opened the Eenhana Trade and Business Expo at the weekend.
"From all accounts it is clear that we cannot continue on a 'business-as-usual' road. We need to be proactive and be better prepared for any future floods.
"We need to reduce the vulnerability of our people, avoid or reduce by all means the loss of lives. We need to have more resilient infrastructure in place and to strengthen our procedures," Katjavivi said.
He expressed concern over the economic losses suffered by the regions devastated by floods earlier this year, especially in the private sector. The flooding in six northern and northeastern regions claimed more than 100 lives and caused severe damage to local infrastructure.
Research gathered for a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment, which is being finalised by Government and the World Bank, indicated that the private sector in the flooded regions had suffered more than the public sector in terms of lost assets and income.
It is crucial, Katjavivi said, that Government, financial institutions and donors work together to assist the private sector, which he described as "a key driver for economic growth".
Such assistance may include the provision of concessional credit facilities, he added.
Katjavivi also highlighted some of the difficulties faced by women-headed households in the affected areas, who have lost assets and are facing unemployment.
"Measures are needed especially to provide the necessary support to the most vulnerable groups and communities within our society, with the creation of a 'disaster fund' being one possible way of assisting them."
While acknowledging the need for immediate aid, Katjavivi made it clear that preparation for future plans is one of Government's priorities. Instead of merely restoring the damaged infrastructure to its pre-flood state, he said that the focus should be on "building back smarter through a future-oriented approach".
This approach would involve using higher quality building materials, as well as the stricter enforcement of building regulations, to ensure that new structures would be able to withstand future flooding.
Flood mapping and zoning, to identify the areas with the highest risk of flooding, is a project already being undertaken by Government.
Katjavivi reported that Government has already provided funding to the tune of N$363 million to begin the rebuilding of the affected communities, but added that a total of N$3,7 billion would be required, the bulk of which would be spent on improving water and sanitation, agriculture and roads in the area.
Katjavivi commended the residents of Eenhana for organising the Trade and Business Expo despite having suffered flood damage themselves, and pledged to support efforts to attract business interests to the town and the Ohangwena region.
The Trade and Business Expo ends on July 3.
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