Walvis budgets N$100m for land

The municipality of Walvis Bay intends to spend slightly less than half of its operational budget, representing a quarter of its expected revenue, for the current financial year on land development projects. The expected expenditure budget of N$444.8 million for the 2017/18 financial was tabled last week Friday by the chairperson of the management committee Tobias Nambala. The total amount on the developmental or capital budget has been recorded at N$286.6 million of which land development projects were allocated N$103 million. These projects run over more than one financial year. In total, there are 22 extensions planned for the year under discussion. Some extensions are continuous from prior years and some are new. Of particular importance is the inclusion of the development of Farm 37 into a fully-fledged mixed-use township. The development of the farm has been prompted by the housing demands in Walvis Bay and the shortage of available serviced land to accommodate residents who are living in backyard structures. Nambala said council anticipated an estimated revenue of N$444.1 million and that an expected deficit for the new financial year had been recorded at N$683 500. He also announced proposed average tariff adjustments of 15% for water supply services, 10% in property rates and taxes, 10% for refuse removal services and 10% for sanitation services. He explained that approximately 73% of the total estimated revenue is derived from water and related services, property rates and taxes, refuse removal and sanitation services. According to Nambala, 15% on water tariffs was necessitated by the 16% increase from NamWater. The suggested rates and taxes increase includes 5% contributions to the Erongo Regional Council as provided for under the Local Authorities Act. The annual tariff adjustments for other services will be made available to the public once gazetted. Community or social projects have been allocated N$60 million. Major individual projects under this category include the Phase 1 and 2 upgrading of the Kuisebmond Stadium, a new cemetery in Narraville, construction of industrial stalls in Kuisebmond, the installation of CCTV cameras to assist in combating crime, the upgrading of sport, parks and recreational facilities and the acquisition of traffic patrol vehicles. Infrastructure and service delivery-related projects have been allocated N$102 million. These projects include the resealing and tarring of streets and servicing of pavements. It also accommodates the implementation, upgrading and replacement of water and sewage infrastructure, including the capacity increase of the Long Beach reservoir and pump station, upgrading of the existing waste water treatment plant, the design of a new plant, the upgrading of Narraville’s pump station and rising main and the construction of a new pump station for Narraville and also for the lagoon area, amongst others. Vehicle costs have been allocated N$19 million. It was the second year that Nambala tabled the budget. He emphasised that local government is generally and widely known as the “government of the people, by the people, for the people” with service delivery to the people as its primary objective as local authority. He also invited community members of to be a part of the implementation of various projects and called upon the communities to present proposals, challenges and any possible contributions that could eventually lead towards accelerated and satisfactory service delivery in Walvis Bay. “It is no secret that locally and globally, the economic performances have reportedly been very sluggish. We should not sit back and wait for a miracle or quick fix to turn the situation around,” he said. “This is neither the time for ‘blame-games’ nor for ignorance. It is time for us to stand up, play a part and make a difference. Council has plenty of room for industrial investment opportunities and have a good number of serviced industrial erven available. We encourage manufacturing investment activities as these will create value addition to finished goods that will in the process, translate into more job opportunities to be created.” OTIS FINCK

Walvis budgets N$100m for land

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-24

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Walvis budgets N$100m for land

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Namibian Sun 2025-01-24

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