KATIMA MULILO – Financial constraints, poor interpersonal relations and non-permanence of local authority councillors are some of the impediments hampering the success of many local authorities.
The prevalent trend of infighting between the political leadership of local authorities and their chief executive officers is another problem.
This was the strong assertion made by the president of the Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), Agnes Kafula, who is also the mayor of Windhoek, during the bi-annual ALAN congress held in Katima Mulilo last week.
She said: “The most disturbing problem is the bad relationship between some local authorities’ political leadership and their CEOs, which is counter- productive to service delivery. I urge the ministry of local government and all stakeholders to help provide guidance so that we solve this problem once and for all as the outcome is the suffering of the innocent communities.”
Appealed Kafula: ”When we politicians want to give our advice as part of the team, we are often told that we are interfering and that we are illiterate. What are we there for, then? The minister should then change the Act so that everything is left to the administrators. We request those involved in counter-productive feuds to bury their differences and start thinking how we can make Namibia a better country.”
Kafula stressed the importance of local authorities as the link between central government and the people, adding that service delivery was therefore imperative.
“Local government is the first contact between the citizen and government, making municipalities frontline service delivery institutions. One of the most important things is the recognition of local government as a distinct sphere of government aimed at bringing government closer to the people and serving as a visible platform for accelerating improved access to government services,” said Kafula.
She announced some of the major successes of ALAN since the previous congress which was held in 2011.
“We have drafted and adopted the ALAN strategic plan, reviewed the constitution, assisted some local authorities to come up with their own strategic plans and facilitated the legal and administration induction courses for elected councillors to mention just a few,” said Kafula.
Kafula also lauded government for its continuous efforts to empower the majority poor through massive developmental programmes such as the recently introduced mass housing programme meant to reduce the shortage of housing.
“I wish to acknowledge the positive role played by our government in uplifting the living standard of the poor, through deliberate interventions such as the upcoming national mass housing project,” said Kafula.
Kafula was mesmerised by development taking place in Katima Mulilo as compared to before.
“I am pleased to note that significant developments have taken place in this unique town since our last visit, hence the council and all its support structures including stakeholders deserve to be congratulated for their hard work, dedication and commitment to serve their people unwaveringly,” said Kafula.
About 250 delegates from various local authorities attended the conference which ended on November 15.
By George Sanzila