ONDANGWA – The Oshana Regional Council has appointed the chief executive officer of Ondangwa Town Council, Martin Elago, as its new chief regional officer (CRO) with effect from the end of April.
He has been CEO of the Ondangwa Town Council for the past seven years. Elago acknowledged the perseverance of his team at the council for much that was accomplished during his term.
He said that when he assumed office he was dissatisfied with the snail’s pace of development of the town. He wanted to see rapid urban growth, a vibrant economy and the creation of jobs.
“Together with the team we were able to address some of these challenges,” reminisced Elago.
Elago said his successor unlike him would have things easier as the groundwork has been laid.
“The next CEO will work with relative ease. Things have been put in place from legal regulations to building standard requirements and so many other policies,” reflected Elago.
One of Elago’s achievements is the construction of about 1 000 houses.
He said phase one of the four phases has already been completed while phase two is to start soon. Phase one saw the completion of about 150 houses.
The council entered a partnership with Namib Bou to build the houses.
Elago said the council would engage in bringing the private sector further on board because the council does not have enough money.
Elago also reminisced on the current good working relationships, which have gradually grown from “worse to good”. He said it is through good working relationships that Ondangwa has been able to secure investors. He said differences in the council were able to be solved internally and not through the media as was the case before.
“Ondangwa is not what it was with quarrels and infighting, which was then the tradition. Differences are sorted out in-house and not through the media,” the CRO-designate told New Era.
Elago who is excited about further growing his career said he would leave the council with mixed feelings because he has grown with the council and over the years built very good relationships.
However, he sees the chance to explore and face new challenges.
“I like to work in a challenging environment, but when you stay in one environment for too long you run out of challenges and I don’t like that, I have to keep moving,” said Elago.
Elago was the deputy director of the Omusati Regional Council before taking up the CEO post in Ondangwa.
Elago takes over from the first CRO of the region Johannes Kandombo who has served the regional council since 2004.
Hambeleleni Nyeemwatya the spokesperson of the Oshana Regional Council confirmed Elago’s appointment.