Persistent staff shortages across key government departments continue to stall service delivery in the Okavango District, prompting council leadership to call for urgent interventions to fill vacancies and support remote communities.
The concerns were raised during the Okavango District Council Full Session, where Deputy Chairman Brian Samoka stated that numerous government institutions are struggling to operate effectively due to a lack of personnel.
Samoka explained that several departments are operating without substantive leadership, while many experienced officers are approaching retirement—a trend that could worsen the crisis if replacements are not secured.
He noted that the challenge is not limited to one sector but spans multiple departments providing essential services to residents.
According to Samoka, the affected areas include education, health, agriculture, wildlife, immigration, police services, and local government.
“These departments play a critical role in serving communities, and shortages of staff make it difficult for them to perform their duties effectively,” he said.
He noted that remote districts like Okavango face immense difficulties attracting and retaining skilled personnel, resulting in prolonged vacancies and heavier workloads for remaining officers.
The staffing crisis comes at a time when demand for public services continues to grow across the region.
In the education sector, Samoka revealed that Shakawe Senior Secondary School admitted a record 1,017 Form Four learners this year, comprising 448 boys and 569 girls.
He said the growing enrolment highlights an increasing demand for education, emphasizing the need for adequate staffing and infrastructure to maintain quality learning.
Despite high enrolment, several schools face operational hurdles due to vacancies in school head and deputy school head positions, placing added pressure on existing staff.
The council was also informed that infrastructure projects aimed at improving learning conditions are progressing slowly.
At Rwee, the construction of school facilities has reached only 17 percent completion, while staff housing stands at 82 percent. The project is expected to improve both learning environments and teacher accommodation upon completion.
Meanwhile, the Nokaneng Primary School project has experienced delays linked to financial and procurement challenges, which continue to stall development.
Samoka warned that prolonged staffing shortages, coupled with delayed infrastructure projects, could undermine government efforts to improve service delivery in the district.
He urged relevant authorities to quickly fill vacant positions and strengthen recruitment and retention strategies tailored for remote areas.
Councillors expressed deep concern over the situation and are expected to deliberate on interventions to ensure communities receive essential services. They also emphasized the importance of investing in both human resources and infrastructure to drive district development.
