Walvis Bay
Walvis Bay Town Council tabled a multi-faceted budget this week, with the allocation to land development taking up the lion’s share.
The acting chairperson of the management committee, Tony Raw tabled a capital budget of N$336 million for 2015/2016 during an extra-ordinary Council meeting on Tuesday.
Capital projects worth N$756 million will be executed over the next three years.
An amount of N$171 million was allocated towards land delivery projects over the period 2015 – 2017.
Council plans to deliver more than 1,500 serviced erven across all suburbs at the habour town over the next three years. Provision was also made for servicing 74 new industrial erven.
During his presentation Tony Raw said the budget is in line with Council’s policy of being transparent at all times, while at the same time contributing constructively to the wellbeing of residents by reducing unemployment and poverty.
Raw further explained that N$41 million was allocated for service delivery-related projects, including the implementation, upgrading and replacement of water and sewer infrastructure.
“We are looking at increasing the capacity of the Long Beach Reservoir pump station, constructing a reservoir at Mile 7, as well as upgrading of the current sewerage treatment plant,” he said.
Furthermore, N$27 million was allocated for individual projects, such as the construction of a Community Centre in Narraville, the long overdue satellite fire station and a municipal accounts payment centre in Tutaleni.
Council will also construct industrial stalls in Kuisebmond, new campsites at Dolphin Park and will upgrade sports facilities at the town. For infrastructure projects Council allocated N$39 million, which includes the resealing of streets and sidewalks, as well as structural management, while a further N$38 million was allocated to smaller projects below N$500,000.
As for the operational budget Council expects to generate about N$351.3 million during the coming financial year, while expenditure is expected to cost around N$353.9 million.
“The expected deficit for the new financial year has been recorded at about N$2.6 million. About 80 percent of total estimated revenue is obtained from water and related services, property taxes, refuse removal and sewerage services,” Raw explained.