Africa-Press – Angola. The municipality of Ecunha sends, every month, more than 180 tons of reindeer potatoes, produced by local peasants, to the province of Luanda, specifically to the Km-30 market and to other commercial centers in the country.
Known as the “Queen of reindeer potatoes”, the municipality has suitable soils and a sufficient number of rivers, which provide enough water for irrigating plants and ensuring abundant harvests.
The municipal administrator of Ecunha, Guilhermina Bacia, said that the peasants are committed to increasing food production rates, with emphasis on reindeer potatoes, which is why the region is considered the “Queen of reindeer potatoes”. The municipality It is also strong in the production of beans, corn, soybeans, massambala, wheat, ginguba and vegetables.
Earthmoving of roads
Venâncio Chilembo, member of the agricultural cooperative “Faz Tudo Pelo Tempo”, said he was satisfied with the earthworks of some roads that give access to the cultivation areas, calling for greater attention to be given to the free movement of people and goods, “because investing in agriculture is to invest in the socio-economic development of the province”.
The farmer understands that agricultural production rates also depend on the good condition of the roads, to guarantee the transport of goods from the countryside to the main markets and consumption centers.
“There are many farmers committed to increasing reindeer potato production, but the lack of means of transport to transport products has been a major obstacle, which is why huge quantities of products have deteriorated in the fields due to this situation”, he lamented..
In the current agricultural year, the Agrarian Development Station (EDA), through field schools, cleared more than 32 thousand hectares of arable land for associated peasants, with the involvement of 16 thousand families, with the aim of increasing potato production -reindeer.
Expansion of the health network
Administrator Guilhermina Bacia reported that the year 2023 ends with notable growth, due to the increase in educational establishments and the expansion of the health network throughout the municipality.
The provincial government’s strategy of building many schools, he noted, made it possible to include a greater number of children in the public education system, increase quality and improve working conditions for teachers.
As a result of these investments, he added, the municipality of Ecunha is now a destination for many students from other municipalities in the province, looking for better institutions and quality of learning.
“The local authorities continue to invest in quality education in the region, creating conditions to increase the level of preparation of teachers”, stated the administrator.
Number of students
In the current academic year, 39,783 students were enrolled from primary to II cycle education.
Ecunha has a total of 45 schools, 29 in the headquarters and 16 in the Chipeio commune. Primary education occupies 36 institutions and the remainder are 1st cycle schools and 2nd cycle high schools.
The Health sector controls 10 centers, four health posts and a Municipal Hospital, making a total of 15 health units, as well as 18 doctors of different specialties.
Professional qualification
In the field of Vocational Training, more than 600 young people were trained in the specialties of carpentry, masonry, metalwork, low voltage electricity, plumbing, auto mechanics and locksmithing, by the Municipal Vocational Training Center.
Lasting nine months, the courses were promoted by the National Institute of Employment and Professional Training (INEFOP), with the aim of creating employment opportunities and promoting small businesses among young people.
According to the municipal administrator, many of the young people trained will be integrated as workers at the aforementioned Training Center, to make their contribution to the construction and reconstruction of the region.
He assured that other professionals will create their own businesses, through self-employment.
As part of the assistance program for Former Combatants and Veterans of the Fatherland, some T3 social houses were built and distributed. Many of the families considered to be disadvantaged are regularly assisted by the Administration, with various assets.
Tourism
The municipality of Ecunha is open to investment in the Tourism sector, as it preserves the beauty of its main natural landscapes.
Ecunha has great support to develop the Hotel and Tourism sector, taking advantage of the potential of Ilha dos Amores, the main calling card for tourists.
The municipality also has the advantage of being able to observe in close-up the highest point in Angola, Morro do Moco, due to its neighborhood with the municipality of Londuimbali.
Laúca Energy
Local authorities believe that, with the arrival of energy from the Laúca Hydroelectric dam and the rehabilitation of the section that connects Ilha dos Amores, in the commune of Chipeio, to the Chitatamela sector, there will be conditions for large companies to invest in the Tourism sector.
PIIM Earnings
Administrator Guilhermina Bacia admits that the Integrated Plan for Intervention in Municipalities (PIIM) is changing the image of the town of Ecunha, with the construction of various social facilities, some already completed and others in progress.
Among the new social facilities, schools, health centers and posts, roads, drinking water supply systems, electricity, social housing, bridges and bridges stand out.
Still within the scope of PIIM actions, a financial amount valued at 971 million and 426 thousand kwanzas was approved for the municipality of Ecunha, with 837 million and 544 thousand kwanzas having already been disbursed in various social projects.
The administrator stressed that the Health and Education sectors are making significant progress in all locations in the municipality, due to the fact that there are no constraints related to financial disbursements for the completion of the various works already launched by the Provincial Government of Huambo.
Ecunha-Caála Road
Guilhermina Bacia said that in the field of roads, circulation on the route between the municipalities of Ecunha and Caála improved, after being paved.
He explained that the roads in the areas with the highest agricultural production in the municipality are being leveled, to allow the flow of agricultural production to the main consumption centers.
The administrator informed that the rehabilitation works of the Water Treatment Plant (ETA), five primary and secondary schools are nearing completion, of which one is already completed, with only its inauguration and the construction of a filling station remaining. health.
Distribution of agricultural instruments
The administrator of Ecunha informed that the Government of Huambo, through the Provincial Office of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, in the current agricultural campaign distributed agricultural instruments, fertilizers and various seeds, in accordance with the requests of the peasants
The person responsible admitted that there was satisfactory agricultural production in the municipality of Ecunha, but lamented the lack of means of transport to transport the products, due to the lack of some bridges. Because of this, the main cargo vehicles currently are three-wheeled motorbikes.
Guilhermina Bacia said she believes that the losses of products that were occurring in some peasant families are being overcome, mainly with the delivery of means of transport to economic operators based in the region, who have the mission of taking products from the countryside to the main centers of consumption.
“The municipality of Ecunha, in addition to having areas very suitable for agriculture, is a privileged region in water resources and with areas for livestock farming”, he highlighted.
Expansion of social services is recognized
Citizen Maurício Chayevala acknowledged that there are increased efforts by the Executive to increasingly improve the living conditions of the population of the municipality of Ecunha, especially in the areas of Education, Health, Energy and Water, Housing and other sectors.
According to the resident, it is essential that the Government of the Province of Huambo, through the local administration, continues to invest more and more in expanding these services with the aim of improving the lives of citizens in the district.
Maurício Chayevala recognizes that the Health sector has evolved, with improved levels of service, as well as the implementation of Health Fairs, which are enabling citizens to make medical appointments closer to their homes. He also highlighted the fact that the teaching process is extensive for everyone. “The only people who don’t study are those who don’t want to,” he emphasized.
Located 30 kilometers west of the city of Huambo, capital of the province, the municipality of Ecunha marked, on the 13th of this month, 52 years since it became a town, on December 13, 1971. The date was celebrated under the motto “Ecunha – 52 Years with everyone’s participation, towards economic and urban growth”.
With an estimated population of 111,825 inhabitants, it borders the municipalities of Londuimbali, Caála, Huambo, Bailundo, Ukuma and Longonjo
JORNALDEANGOLA
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