Maria David
“IT is imperative that local authorities become expertly responsive to address the needs of the people in areas of housing, provision of water and electricity, the construction of roads and constant maintenance of the towns’ cleanliness.”
This was stated by Namibia’s Vice-president Nangolo Mbumba at the official opening of the Association for Local Authorities Namibia (ALAN) Congress held at Oshakati from Thursday to Saturday.
At the congress, held under the theme “Building sustainable and Resilient Local Authorities”, matters pertaining to local authorities are addressed and the new leadership is elected.
Mbumba stated that the government acknowledges the crucial role local authorities play in consolidating democracy, advancing service delivery and expanding development.
He said the congress will develop strategies that enhance the capacity of local authorities to deliver quality services to all the people.
“Meetings and conferences like this provide an opportunity for local government practitioners and central government leaders to frankly and candidly reflect on the emerging and current pressing issues and challenges that affect the local government sector as well as our nation at large,” he said.
Mbumba added that local government associations like ALAN are imperative in ensuring that the needs and concerns of their members are advocated to the central government to ensure that the capacities of their members are developed to provide strategic leadership for service delivery and to be a platform for learning, exchange and sharing of best practices.
He said a well-functioning local authority needs strong political and administrative leadership.
Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni said the theme is critical and relevant as it highlights the understanding of urban resilience and sustainability as an urgent matter.
Uutoni said local authorities should be at the forefront to ensure planning, policies, standards and guidelines support best practice developments for their communities.
Therefore platforms such as the congress will stimulate discussions on topics that give relevance to local government in Namibia and facilitate best practice approaches on how to co-create liveable neighbourhoods as a positive vision and element of inclusive and sustainable urban development.
Oshana regional governor Elia Irimari stated that local authorities are faced with great pressure to balance the costs of increasing needs of urbanization on all fronts, be it infrastructural, economic and social challenges.
“That is why local authorities are intensifying their efforts in scaling up initiatives of local economic development and strengthening their corporate social responsibility,” he said
Irimari said he hoped that the resolutions of the 2022 congress will address the issues and advance sustainable solutions that are conducive to the development across all local authorities.
