The Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Emma Theofelus, has requested that the leadership in the Kavango East Region assist in bringing ICT development closer to the people.
The request was made at an engagement, where various stakeholders got together to talk about mobile network connectivity in the region, the availability and coverage of TV and radio services, as well as access to public information and digital literacy levels.
"We are here to consult; we are here to meet you as stakeholders so that after this engagement, we can go back to the office, pen down our plans, and implement them. We get guidance from you, honourable governor, and your leadership for the next five priority areas. We need to consider as we plan already for the next financial year," said Theofelus.
The minister expressed concern that one of the issues hindering the expansion of network connectivity is the lack of access to land for operators.
"Once they apply for land, either with the regional council or the local authority, you will find after three months, six months, or nine months, they have not received a response from the leadership. What that means is that, once land is not made available in a financial year, that money goes elsewhere," she said, adding that "that operator is forced to go elsewhere, where that land is faster granted for them to put up the network tower."
Theofelus also spoke about the fact that some landowners charge operators exorbitant prices.
"Especially if the area is on somebody's allocated land, in their field and so on. There are sometimes agreements with the owner of that area for a rental arrangement. We also find that unfortunately, when the operator wants to negotiate in terms of rental, citizens increase the amount of money quite high, when we know that the network connectivity will not only benefit the person who owns the land but the entire community."
Last week the minister launched two network towers in Kavango East, and another two are envisioned to come in January 2026.