Citizens’ depend on government too much – Uutoni
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni has argued that Namibians’ dependency on government for jobs is excessive.
Uutoni, who was speaking at the African Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Local Development last week at Okahao in Omusati Region, warned that government cannot employ all graduates and urged graduates to take up vocational courses to acquire skills and create jobs.
"The world today is focusing on business and not dependency; governments in many countries, they do not employ many people. The culture in Namibia is more on government," he said.
Be innovative
He called on young Namibians to be innovative and explore opportunities to help sustain Namibia’s economic status, emphasising that young citizens in other countries rely on themselves to find jobs and create businesses.
"If you are just stagnant while having a degree and you are still dependent on the government, you will find yourself 50 and you are not doing anything," Uutoni stressed.
Uutoni pointed out that people from other countries come to Namibia to trade because they see opportunities, while Namibians often complain about foreigners selling products here.
"If you want to trade outside the country, strengthen your businesses locally and produce a quality product, otherwise, if it is not of quality, it will not attract buyers outside Namibia,’’ he said.
Conducive environment
Uutoni admitted that government is responsible for creating a conducive environment for operating businesses in the country.
"When government is saying there is an opportunity somewhere, do not hesitate and run where the government is pointing," he said.
In reference to the green hydrogen sector, Uutoni said government has already pronounced itself and people should grab this opportunity.
"When government creates a conducive environment, it is for people to act," he stressed.
Uutoni, who was speaking at the African Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Local Development last week at Okahao in Omusati Region, warned that government cannot employ all graduates and urged graduates to take up vocational courses to acquire skills and create jobs.
"The world today is focusing on business and not dependency; governments in many countries, they do not employ many people. The culture in Namibia is more on government," he said.
Be innovative
He called on young Namibians to be innovative and explore opportunities to help sustain Namibia’s economic status, emphasising that young citizens in other countries rely on themselves to find jobs and create businesses.
"If you are just stagnant while having a degree and you are still dependent on the government, you will find yourself 50 and you are not doing anything," Uutoni stressed.
Uutoni pointed out that people from other countries come to Namibia to trade because they see opportunities, while Namibians often complain about foreigners selling products here.
"If you want to trade outside the country, strengthen your businesses locally and produce a quality product, otherwise, if it is not of quality, it will not attract buyers outside Namibia,’’ he said.
Conducive environment
Uutoni admitted that government is responsible for creating a conducive environment for operating businesses in the country.
"When government is saying there is an opportunity somewhere, do not hesitate and run where the government is pointing," he said.
In reference to the green hydrogen sector, Uutoni said government has already pronounced itself and people should grab this opportunity.
"When government creates a conducive environment, it is for people to act," he stressed.
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Namibian Sun
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