News
October 22, 2025
Oshana reserves toilet construction jobs for locals
The Oshana Regional Council has reserved 45 casual jobs for local residents to construct toilets across all constituencies, sparking debate over ‘locals first’ employment policies. In a recent advertisement, the council said only applicants from certain villages within each constituency would be considered for shortlisting. The toilets are to be constructed in all 11 constituencies. [...]The post Oshana reserves toilet construction jobs for locals appeared first on The Namibian.
Oshana residents are getting a boost in employment opportunities thanks to a new initiative by the Oshana Regional Council. The council has announced that 45 casual labor positions for the construction of toilets across the region will be exclusively reserved for local residents. This move, aimed at prioritizing employment within the Oshana region, has ignited discussions about the implementation and fairness of "locals first" employment policies.
The construction project, designed to improve sanitation facilities throughout Oshana, will span all 11 constituencies within the region. In a recent advertisement, the Oshana Regional Council clarified the eligibility criteria for these positions. Specifically, the advertisement stated that only individuals residing in particular villages within each constituency would be considered during the shortlisting process. This targeted approach aims to ensure that the benefits of the project directly reach the communities where the toilets are being built.
While the council views this initiative as a positive step towards empowering local communities and boosting regional economies, it has also sparked some debate. Supporters of the policy argue that it is crucial to prioritize residents who are most directly affected by the project and who will ultimately benefit from improved sanitation. They believe that such policies can help reduce unemployment rates within specific localities and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members.
However, critics of the "locals first" approach raise concerns about potential discrimination and the exclusion of qualified individuals who may reside just outside the designated villages. They argue that such policies could limit the pool of talent and potentially hinder the quality of work. Concerns have also been raised about the transparency and fairness of the selection process, emphasizing the need for clear and objective criteria to ensure that the most deserving candidates are chosen, regardless of their precise place of residence within the broader region.
The Oshana Regional Council has yet to publicly address these concerns, but the debate highlights the complexities and challenges involved in implementing employment policies that prioritize local residents. The success of this initiative will likely depend on its ability to balance the goal of empowering local communities with the need for fairness, transparency, and the selection of qualified individuals to carry out this important sanitation project. The long-term impact of this “locals first” approach on the Oshana region's economy and social dynamics remains to be seen.
The construction project, designed to improve sanitation facilities throughout Oshana, will span all 11 constituencies within the region. In a recent advertisement, the Oshana Regional Council clarified the eligibility criteria for these positions. Specifically, the advertisement stated that only individuals residing in particular villages within each constituency would be considered during the shortlisting process. This targeted approach aims to ensure that the benefits of the project directly reach the communities where the toilets are being built.
While the council views this initiative as a positive step towards empowering local communities and boosting regional economies, it has also sparked some debate. Supporters of the policy argue that it is crucial to prioritize residents who are most directly affected by the project and who will ultimately benefit from improved sanitation. They believe that such policies can help reduce unemployment rates within specific localities and foster a sense of ownership and responsibility among community members.
However, critics of the "locals first" approach raise concerns about potential discrimination and the exclusion of qualified individuals who may reside just outside the designated villages. They argue that such policies could limit the pool of talent and potentially hinder the quality of work. Concerns have also been raised about the transparency and fairness of the selection process, emphasizing the need for clear and objective criteria to ensure that the most deserving candidates are chosen, regardless of their precise place of residence within the broader region.
The Oshana Regional Council has yet to publicly address these concerns, but the debate highlights the complexities and challenges involved in implementing employment policies that prioritize local residents. The success of this initiative will likely depend on its ability to balance the goal of empowering local communities with the need for fairness, transparency, and the selection of qualified individuals to carry out this important sanitation project. The long-term impact of this “locals first” approach on the Oshana region's economy and social dynamics remains to be seen.
Category:
Politics