The mooted multi-million-dollar Biomass Industrial Park project is expected to boost Otjiwarongo’s economy through the creation of 300 jobs, while unlocking business markets for locals.
Information shared show that the project, to be operated on a 100 hectare piece of land, will produce annual outputs of 191 500 tonnes of wood chips, 20 000 tonnes charcoal, 12 000 tonnes char briquettes, 160 tonnes animal feed, 4 500 tonnes bio-fuel and 600 tonnes biochar tonnes respectively.
The final products are to be exported to Germany as the European country seeks to phase out coal power production.
“In terms of Economic Development, it is worth mentioning that Otjiwarongo was selected as the site for the construction of the first ever Biomass Industrial Park in Namibia and a 100 Hectare piece of land has been prepared and serviced for this massive endeavour, which will create about 300 jobs at Otjiwarongo. This project is expected to leverage value addition synergies for a robust local market for wood-based products to unlock new market opportunities domestically and beyond. The project will process more than 300 tonnes of encroacher bush biomass per annum, while creating several value-added chain by-products such as animal feed and many more,” said Otjozondjupa Governor James Uerikua in his State of the Region Address (SORA).
Pressing further with energy generation and economic reforms, Uerikua said the Municipality of Otjiwarongo has embarked upon a Public Private Partnership (PPP) project for the development of a WasteWater Treatment Plant to be funded through the Project Preparation Fund under the Ministry of Finance.
“In addition to this, Otjiwarongo Municipality has also developed a concept note for a Waste-to-Energy Plant at the dumping site with feasibility study funded by the African Development Bank to the tune of N$ 10 Million.”
The town will also witness another project involving the treatment of sewage water to produce biogas and re-usable water for irrigation purposes.
“This project is being piloted at Okandjira Settlement in the Omatako Constituency in partnership between the Otjozondjupa Regional Council and LISHA Empowerment and Development Organisation, a community development organization targeting communal Farmers. This project will create temporary employment opportunities in the settlement,” Uerikua said.
Biogas is a mixture of gases, primarily consisting of methane, carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulphide, produced from raw materials such as agricultural waste, manure, municipal waste, plant material, sewage, green waste and food waste; used as a renewable source of energy.
As part of availing trading and business opportunities for micro economic activities in the region, the Governor said several local authorities are in the process of setting up Markets.
“The vendors in our towns are challenged with lack of selling places, resulting in problems of people trading at unauthorised areas. One such is Otjiwarongo Municipality that is in the process of constructing a market worth N$52 million. Our region is strategically located and serves as a mouthpiece and gateway to many destinations and endless opportunities across different sectors. On this basis plans are underway to upgrade the Otjiwarongo airstrip to an acceptable standard that enables usage by commercial and cargo planes,” he said.
