Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Namibia Local Businesses Association (NALOBA) has officially opened a new branch at Outapi in the Omusati Region to bring services closer to the people. NALOBA, established in 2021, aims to be the voice of the business community and uplift it and has over 3 000 members.
According to NALOBA president Erastus Shapumba, the opening of the branch is intended to expand the service offered by NALOBA people in the Omusati region and the surrounding areas and beyond.
“Our association is here to stay and help the business community who suffers injustice or feel neglected by the government,” he said.
Shapumba indicated that they are expected to open two more branches in Okahao and Outjo at a later stage. “We want to ensure that we have our branches across the country for service accessibility,” he said.
Vice president of the association Peter Amadhila said that NALOBA is not a political party, not a tribal organization and does not belong to a certain group, but is an association for all the business communities across the country.
“You all now have a voice to speak for you, an association that fights against injustice,” he said, adding that people should feel free to join.
Upcoming businessman Johannes Paulus said NALOBA brings relief. For far too long, he claims, he suffered after starting a business selling traditional brew.
“At one point I was once given a ticket of N$4 000 for selling traditional brew, a business I just started during the first outbreak of Covid-19 and does not give me even more than N$500 a day,” he said.
Paulus said he “does not want to steal”. All he wants to do is make a living for himself but the police always watch him. “I have been arrested on various occasions, beaten several times by the men in the uniforms,” he said.
Veronica Nghifikwa said she was thankful for the leadership of NALOBA for opening a branch in Omusati, where many people continue to suffer at the hands of the police and council officials.
Nghifikwa, who started her business in 2008, said for too long they had no clue where to run to for assistance when they are faced with business difficulties.
“The outbreak of the coronavirus has affected business operations and many of us lost our incomes as there are no business activities,” she said.
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