Oniipa inaugurates Town Council office

Maria David

THE government is committed to bringing development to all corners of the country, according to Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni.

Uutoni made the remarks during the official inauguration of the Oniipa Town Council office on Thursday, stating that the mandate of his ministry is to enhance service delivery at the local governance level by ensuring that proper offices are constructed.

According to Uutoni, through the construction of this state-of-the-art office building, the government aims to bring development and service delivery closer to the people and serve the inhabitants of Oniipa.

He indicated that the government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, funded close to N$19 million towards the construction of the town council office, which was completed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Important to note, is the fact that these are buildings where critical work is done and that the public relies on it for essential services, making comfort, functionality, and safety top priorities,” he said.

He urged the community of Oniipa to safeguard the infrastructure while enjoying the benefits that come with it.

“Let us all hold hands in the spirit of Harambee and shun the evil of vandalism to safeguard this building as it forms part of the establishment of the future development and prosperity of the settlement and its people,” he added.

Town Mayor Jafet Augustus reminded the Council that as they move into the new office, they should always remember that their greatest asset is the community, and anyone sitting in that office must prioritise providing quality services to the people.

“To our community each of you play a vital role in the growth and development of Oniipa. I encourage all citizens to engage actively in our local governance,” he said.

He added that the voices of community members are essential in shaping the policies and initiatives that will guide them into the future.

Augustus urged the community to work together with the Council and embrace the opportunities ahead, while remaining vigilant in addressing the challenges they face.

“As we work to improve infrastructure, enhance public services, and foster economic development, we must remain committed to principles of transparency, accountability and inclusivity,” he added.

He stressed the need to always advocate for unity and avoid maladministration and self-enrichment using public resources.