By Petronella Sibeene WINDHOEK An international development agency of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions delegation is in the country to assess the decentralization process in Namibia before they can start rendering support. The area in which Namibia is likely to benefit is one of local authority. The three-member Swedish delegation seeks to learn more about the current status of Namibian municipal development and discuss instruments and pre-conditions for potential cooperation. It also intends to review earlier initiatives on possible tripartite cooperation among Namibia, South Africa, and Sweden. Yesterday, the delegation met the Minister of Regional, and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, John Pandeni, and officials from the National Planning Commission (NPC) which implements and drafts development proposals. The Head of Delegation, Lena Blomstrand, said even though she was uncertain about the availability of funds since the Swedish embassy closes next year, her delegation is in Namibia to find out how far the decentralisation process has gone given its high pronunciation after independence. The delegation has two-day visits lined up for Keetmanshoop, Karasburg, Berseba and Luderitz. While in the southern part of the country, the delegation will look at services and various levels of local authorities. The delegation is keen to look at the Namibian situation and investigate areas of cooperation, said Paul Dixelius, the Project Manager of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regional International Development Agency (SALA IDA). Pandeni explained that the decentralisation process in Namibia was embarked upon after realizing that there were inequalities in service distribution in different areas. After independence, the Government saw the need to decentralize functions that were formerly centralized to enable the formerly disadvantaged groups access to needed services. The relevant ministry is coordinating efforts to ensure that this process is credible and the administration is run efficiently, he added. “The ministry checks before any function is delegated. All ministries that wish to decentralize their functions have to draw up a plan and outline their activities to avoid overlapping,” Pandeni said. The minister added that his ministry faces a challenge as to when local authorities will have the capacity to run their own affairs. Although resources remain scarce, the Government subsidises most local authorities, and the capacities at which they have to recover costs provided through services rendered are a headache. He says the ministry will use Swedish expertise as a mechanism to empower local authorities. “It is a matter of assistance in any form. Namibia can only succeed in its Millennium Development Goals if communities become empowered,” the minister said. Pandeni further stated that the Government is looking at addressing issues of poverty, and creating job opportunities, as this will enable subscribers to afford the services. “Our aim is to see the improvement of the process and the living standards,” Pandeni informed the delegation. He commended the delegation for selecting the towns, adding that cooperation of this nature is important. Namibia is hopeful and appreciative of the assistance rendered by the Swedish government, he said. “As a young country, we are trying to instil the principle of democracy. Assistance and interest of cooperation could not have come at better time. Projects such as these will help develop the rural poor,” he said. Blomstrand said even if the Swedish embassy is closing down in Namibia and some bi-lateral support projects might be phased out, there is a high level working group involving the NPC and the Swedish Secretary of the State, to ensure that relations remain excellent in areas where the two countries are currently cooperating. After the visit in the South, the delegation will compile a report to be shared with the ministry. A memorandum of understanding might also be signed at the end of the visit. The delegation concludes its mission on Friday. The Association for Local Authorities in Namibia facilitated the delegation’s visit to Namibia.