Constituency development fund back at parliament
Aimed at fast-tracking development
The goal of the proposed fund is to empower regional governments and give leaders the opportunity to support and direct development at grassroots level.
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni tabled the much-anticipated Regional and Constituency Development Fund Bill on Tuesday, which has been in the works for a decade.
First tabled in February 2014, the fund is aimed at fast-tracking development activities at regional and constituency levels and addressing the issue of the marginalisation of some constituencies in terms of project funding.
Over the past 10 years, constituency councillors have criticised the line ministry for the snail pace of dealing with the Bill.
Constituency councillors have been calling on government to fast-track the process of enacting the bill, which will allow them to use the resources from the fund to assist and develop their constituencies.
Added boost
Uutoni said the fund will serve as an additional financial support mechanism from the state, which will boost development at the regional and constituency levels.
“The envisaged Regional and Constituency Development Fund is a pro-decentralisation initiative that provides additional funding from central government to the regional and constituency levels to boost community-based small-scale development projects that are intended to address particular development needs.”
He added: “The proposed funding approach thus empowers regional governments and gives political leaders and their constituents the opportunity and flexibility to direct resources and support development initiatives at grassroots level.”
Financial support mechanism
The purpose of the fund is to financially assist with the development of constituencies, regions and local authority areas, as well as the implementation of decentralisation programmes at the regional and local authority levels in Namibia.
The fund aims to provide financial support for technical assistance, guidance and training related to the identification, planning, preparation, appraisal, monitoring, evaluation, financing, implementation or management of development projects.
This support may be initiated by the board, regional council or local authority, or on request by a constituency through a regional council. The terms and conditions for such support will be determined by the board.
The fund will consist of monies appropriated by parliament, as well as donations or grants made to the fund with the approval of the minister and in compliance with the Financial Intelligence Act No. 13 of 2012 and other applicable laws.
- [email protected]
First tabled in February 2014, the fund is aimed at fast-tracking development activities at regional and constituency levels and addressing the issue of the marginalisation of some constituencies in terms of project funding.
Over the past 10 years, constituency councillors have criticised the line ministry for the snail pace of dealing with the Bill.
Constituency councillors have been calling on government to fast-track the process of enacting the bill, which will allow them to use the resources from the fund to assist and develop their constituencies.
Added boost
Uutoni said the fund will serve as an additional financial support mechanism from the state, which will boost development at the regional and constituency levels.
“The envisaged Regional and Constituency Development Fund is a pro-decentralisation initiative that provides additional funding from central government to the regional and constituency levels to boost community-based small-scale development projects that are intended to address particular development needs.”
He added: “The proposed funding approach thus empowers regional governments and gives political leaders and their constituents the opportunity and flexibility to direct resources and support development initiatives at grassroots level.”
Financial support mechanism
The purpose of the fund is to financially assist with the development of constituencies, regions and local authority areas, as well as the implementation of decentralisation programmes at the regional and local authority levels in Namibia.
The fund aims to provide financial support for technical assistance, guidance and training related to the identification, planning, preparation, appraisal, monitoring, evaluation, financing, implementation or management of development projects.
This support may be initiated by the board, regional council or local authority, or on request by a constituency through a regional council. The terms and conditions for such support will be determined by the board.
The fund will consist of monies appropriated by parliament, as well as donations or grants made to the fund with the approval of the minister and in compliance with the Financial Intelligence Act No. 13 of 2012 and other applicable laws.
- [email protected]
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