Okalongo proclaimed as local authority
After 25 years, the proclamation of Okalongo as a local authority has been approved by Cabinet, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila announced on Monday.
She said appropriate interventions will be undertaken to ensure that in the next regional and local authority elections, residents of the Omusati Region settlement can elect their representatives to the village council.
With decentralisation, services are brought closer to the people and communities are more empowered to participate in decisions that affect them, the prime minister added.
“Decentralisation also comes with increased responsibilities for regional councils and local authorities to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. It further requires coordination with the central government to ensure smooth implementation of delegated functions.”
Safeguard unity
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also used the platform to encourage Namibians to get vaccinated to protect each other from infections, serious illnesses and death.
She added that citizens should safeguard the unity of the country and protect children, women and elderly.
“Violence against children, women, the elderly and those with disabilities is a violation of their human rights. Let us shun alcohol and other mind-altering substances and instead engage in constructive activities that promote safety and security, peace, unity and socio-economic progress,” she said, adding that this is the best way to honour the heroes and heroines who sacrificed for the country’s freedom and independence.
‘A dream realised’
Just last week, the Ombadja traditional authority registered its grievances with rural and urban deputy minister Natalia /Goagoses, saying that businessmen and -women of Okalongo have been suffering financially as they were operating from a settlement and have been unable to get assistance from financial institutions to upgrade their businesses. Once the settlement’s status is upgraded, “it will be a dream realised”, the traditional authority said at the time.
“Due to economic constraints, our traditional authority has also suffered the same [fate] because it cannot get financial assistance from its businessmen and -women,” the statement read in part.
The traditional authority further said there is a high crime rate in the area because young people wander around with little to no opportunities afforded to them once they have completed high school.
“Institutions of higher learning and vocational training are reluctant to come erect their campuses here because the land is not yet valued for business. Hence the communities continue to complain about travelling long distances to look for services being provided by towns,” it stressed.
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She said appropriate interventions will be undertaken to ensure that in the next regional and local authority elections, residents of the Omusati Region settlement can elect their representatives to the village council.
With decentralisation, services are brought closer to the people and communities are more empowered to participate in decisions that affect them, the prime minister added.
“Decentralisation also comes with increased responsibilities for regional councils and local authorities to ensure effective and efficient service delivery. It further requires coordination with the central government to ensure smooth implementation of delegated functions.”
Safeguard unity
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila also used the platform to encourage Namibians to get vaccinated to protect each other from infections, serious illnesses and death.
She added that citizens should safeguard the unity of the country and protect children, women and elderly.
“Violence against children, women, the elderly and those with disabilities is a violation of their human rights. Let us shun alcohol and other mind-altering substances and instead engage in constructive activities that promote safety and security, peace, unity and socio-economic progress,” she said, adding that this is the best way to honour the heroes and heroines who sacrificed for the country’s freedom and independence.
‘A dream realised’
Just last week, the Ombadja traditional authority registered its grievances with rural and urban deputy minister Natalia /Goagoses, saying that businessmen and -women of Okalongo have been suffering financially as they were operating from a settlement and have been unable to get assistance from financial institutions to upgrade their businesses. Once the settlement’s status is upgraded, “it will be a dream realised”, the traditional authority said at the time.
“Due to economic constraints, our traditional authority has also suffered the same [fate] because it cannot get financial assistance from its businessmen and -women,” the statement read in part.
The traditional authority further said there is a high crime rate in the area because young people wander around with little to no opportunities afforded to them once they have completed high school.
“Institutions of higher learning and vocational training are reluctant to come erect their campuses here because the land is not yet valued for business. Hence the communities continue to complain about travelling long distances to look for services being provided by towns,” it stressed.
– [email protected]
Comments
Harry Tjihukununa
Bravo, a step in the right direction!