RUNDU – Minister of Urban and Rural Development James Sankwasa yesterday took on local authority and regional councillors who owe monies to municipalities or town councils under their purview.

He said this sends a wrong message to residents.

“If you do not pay, how do you expect residents to pay?” Sankwasa said.

He was addressing the councillors, chief regional officers and municipal managers during the opening of an induction workshop in Rundu yesterday.

Sankwasa furthermore emphasised the need for improved road infrastructure, describing some of the road conditions in certain towns as “swimming pools or fishponds.”

He then ordered their immediate repair to restore dignity and safety for road users.

The minister said Namibians need an improved quality of life that allows families to live with dignity and raise their children with hope.

On waste management, Sankwasa, who has since his appointment deployed an unorthodox leadership style, highlighted the need for improved waste management. 

“Urgently address our urban and regional road infrastructures without potholes, in contrast to the current situations where potholes in some streets in some of our local authorities look like swimming pools or fishponds. Prioritising travelling for leisure at the expense of addressing burning issues of potholes and dirtiness in our local authorities should be avoided,’’ he said on Monday during the official opening. 

Sankwasa said the current state of towns poses serious health hazards due to the presence of waste piles.

The deplorable conditions seen all over the streets indicate the failure of local authorities to perform their duties in line with Section 30 of the Local Authorities Act.

“Subject to the provisions of subsections (2) and (3), a local authority council shall have the power to beautify and secure the neatness of its area, including the planting, trimming or removal of trees,” he quoted the Act.

Sankwasa explicitly instructed officials to avoid prioritising leisure travel or unnecessary international trips at the expense of addressing critical community issues.

He added that thriving economies rely on administrative reforms and physical infrastructure, urging leaders to focus on road expansion projects and the removal of obstacles to development. 

The weeklong workshop was held under the theme ‘Accountability as a bedrock for effective governance’. It was aimed at equipping councillors from the Kavango East, Kavango West, and Zambezi regions with the management skills necessary for effective service delivery.

– jmuyamba@nepc.com.na