Unity urged amongst councillors and administrators

Unity urged amongst councillors and administrators The permanent secretary in the urban and rural development ministry Daniel Nghidinua has urged political leaders and town council administrators to work together for effective service delivery.

Nghidinua made the remark at the official opening of the 16th Namibian Association of Local Authority Officials (Nalao) annual conference and general meeting held in Outapi in Omusati Region recently which was held under the theme ''Inspiring Excellence in Sustainable Urbanisation and Housing in Namibia''.

“It is vital and important to realise that local authorities cannot effectively play their assigned role if the local authority politicians and the administrators do not work together as a team,” Nghidinua said.

He pointed out that the ministry is disturbed by reports where town councillors and chief executives do not work as a team which results in the needs of the people such as the provision of affordable urban land and housing as well as sustainable urban development being neglected.

“The ministry is concerned about increased reported or noted incidents of disunity and squabbles between councillors and CEOs, which tend to take time and resources at the expense of services delivery and development,” he said.

“We have to work from the basic understanding that we are all on the same team and our success depends on team work and unity. It is important for local authorities to continue to recognise that their performance or non-performance reflects on the government in general, and is used by the public to judge services delivery by the government,” he further stated.

He highlighted some principles that will respond adequately to the challenges of accelerated services delivery and sustainable urbanisation.

Nghidinua said that shared vision and strategic priorities, improved teamwork and interface between political and administrative leadership, spatial planning, and commitment to balanced sustainable development stakeholder involvement and coordination, smart partnership and business process re-engineering are the principles that will enable towns to thrive as far a development is concerned.

Meanwhile at the Nalao annual general meeting and conference, Natangwe Walde Ndevashiya was elected as president of the association and Ole !Aibeb as his deputy while Matja Katurota was elected as the national treasurer.

Some of the decisions discussed is that local authorities promote inclusivity which entails that no one feels behind and to ensure that all residents under the local authorities have access to healthy, accessible, affordable and sustainable cities and towns.

Promoting environmental sustainability by promoting clean energy, sustainable waste management, as well as sustainable use of and resources in developing our urban areas by protecting ecosystems and biodiversity are also some of the decisions that were made during the deliberations.

KENYA KAMBOWE