Omuthiya gifts Ondonga Traditional Authority massive land
The Omuthiya town council is in the process of gifting the Ondonga Traditional Authority (OTA) with a 2 595-square-metre piece of land, amidst cries for land by residents.
In July 2020, the traditional authority wrote to the council requesting a plot on which office blocks would be constructed, and “at least five other plots for residential purposes”.
The plan to gift the land was announced in a newspaper advertisement last week.
“As we are in the process to decentralise our services to the people, we experience a dire need for both office and residential accommodation,” the request letter signed by OTA chief administrator, Nicodemus Uugwanga, read.
Housing backlog
Just recently, a Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) study found that the housing backlog at the town stood at 3 000.
Council documents, seen by Namibian Sun, indicate that the land donated to the OTA is valued at N$412 000.
Namibian Sun understands the traditional authority initially wanted to buy two plots at the town to build offices and accommodation facilities.
It was then decided, a source said, that the council should instead donate land to the traditional authority.
The motivation given was that the council needed to maintain a cordial relationship with the traditional authority for future interactions such as the extension of town boundaries.
Omuthiya is situated within the jurisdiction of the OTA.
Omuthiya mayor John Ndeutepo last week defended the decision, saying it was a collective decision taken by all council members.
Opposition
There is talk, however, that several opposition councillors opposed the move and warned that it would set a bad precedent. Others also questioned the speed at which the submission was dealt with.
“Is it wrong to donate land?” Ndeutepo asked when approached for comment.
According to him, the relationship between the local authority and town council was intricate but would not stand in the way of development of the town.
He also dismissed notions that there was a housing shortage, saying there was abundant housing in the town.
He further denied any land shortage at the town.
Omuthiya CEO Paulus Mulondwa said the submission had been made to the council and was subsequently endorsed.
Generating income
OTA chairperson John Walenga said there was nothing wrong with the request and that many other local authorities had been approached for land.
"We are just casting our net wide. We have applied to all municipalities and those who are willing to donate, we appreciate," he said.
The land would help the traditional authority generate income for the benefit of the community, he said, adding that it was important it generate multiple income streams.
"We cannot rely on the current income. We need to make sure we create other revenues for the benefit of the community," Walenga said, adding that it was being managed by a trust.
In July 2020, the traditional authority wrote to the council requesting a plot on which office blocks would be constructed, and “at least five other plots for residential purposes”.
The plan to gift the land was announced in a newspaper advertisement last week.
“As we are in the process to decentralise our services to the people, we experience a dire need for both office and residential accommodation,” the request letter signed by OTA chief administrator, Nicodemus Uugwanga, read.
Housing backlog
Just recently, a Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) study found that the housing backlog at the town stood at 3 000.
Council documents, seen by Namibian Sun, indicate that the land donated to the OTA is valued at N$412 000.
Namibian Sun understands the traditional authority initially wanted to buy two plots at the town to build offices and accommodation facilities.
It was then decided, a source said, that the council should instead donate land to the traditional authority.
The motivation given was that the council needed to maintain a cordial relationship with the traditional authority for future interactions such as the extension of town boundaries.
Omuthiya is situated within the jurisdiction of the OTA.
Omuthiya mayor John Ndeutepo last week defended the decision, saying it was a collective decision taken by all council members.
Opposition
There is talk, however, that several opposition councillors opposed the move and warned that it would set a bad precedent. Others also questioned the speed at which the submission was dealt with.
“Is it wrong to donate land?” Ndeutepo asked when approached for comment.
According to him, the relationship between the local authority and town council was intricate but would not stand in the way of development of the town.
He also dismissed notions that there was a housing shortage, saying there was abundant housing in the town.
He further denied any land shortage at the town.
Omuthiya CEO Paulus Mulondwa said the submission had been made to the council and was subsequently endorsed.
Generating income
OTA chairperson John Walenga said there was nothing wrong with the request and that many other local authorities had been approached for land.
"We are just casting our net wide. We have applied to all municipalities and those who are willing to donate, we appreciate," he said.
The land would help the traditional authority generate income for the benefit of the community, he said, adding that it was important it generate multiple income streams.
"We cannot rely on the current income. We need to make sure we create other revenues for the benefit of the community," Walenga said, adding that it was being managed by a trust.
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