28 May 2026

Government has allocated over P83 million to Okavango district for the implementation of Ikageng Programme for the financial year 2026/27.

This was said by Okavango District Council deputy chairperson, Mr Brian Samoka during a full council meeting on May 26. 

He said that the funds were for labour intensive and technical projects towards promotion of community development and skills development.

He said the projects planned for entailed classrooms construction, community farms, school kitchens and housing projects across several villages within the district.

In addition, he revealed that 268 participants were expected to benefit from the projects through practical training in agriculture, construction and related trades including bricklaying, carpentry, plumbing, painting, fish farming and poultry production.

Mr Samoka also noted that for the previous financial year 2025/26 Okavango District Council was allocated over P59 million for implementation of 18 projects under Ikageng Programme.

The projects, he said were progressing well at different stages of implementation while one project was completed noting that the district remained committed towards successful completion of all ongoing projects despite the challenge of delayed disbursement of funds.

Meanwhile, Mr Samoka said ODC has adopted electronic payment systems for Ikageng beneficiaries to reduce high operational costs in payment of participants which was expected to improve efficiency, reduce administrative costs and promote financial inclusion among beneficiaries. ENDS