WINDHOEK – The Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) will host its bi-annual congress in Katima Millilo following its 55th ordinary congress held in Windhoek in 2011.
The bi-annual congress is not elective but is held as part of a congress resolution to conduct review congresses in between ordinary congresses of the association.
The congress, which commences on Thursday, will bring together delegates representing all local authorities in the country.
ALAN Acting Chief Executive Officer Maureen Kambala said the association has made significant strides in strengthening the capacities of its members throughout the country.
Government, she added, has been instrumental in bailing out local authorities through the provision of subsidies for capital projects as well as TIPEEG (Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth) projects.
Kambala stressed that ALAN is a strategic stakeholder in the governance of Namibia noting that the association represents almost the “entire census statistics of the country”, meaning the elites, those in the top echelons of government and the private sector, the lifeline of the country’s economy such as banks, trade unions and their workers, to the lowest earners in Namibia – rich and poor all reside in local authority areas.
“We therefore represent the wishes and aspirations of the various communities within the jurisdiction of our member local authorities, hence we want to be recognized and be given a hearing on our needs and demands to enable us to make a significant contribution towards the development of all sectors in our country,” said Kambala.
Kambala said ALAN president Agnes Kafula is expected to present her report to congress, which will focus on the speed of the implementation of congress resolutions and challenges ahead including the directions enshrined in the association’s strategic plan of 2013. The resolutions were designed and adopted to strengthen the position of ALAN as a credible association serving the interests of all, including the very poor.
“It is important for ALAN members to maintain ongoing contact with the masses at all times and as such we should explain to people when services are coming to them and if there is a delay, they also need to be told. Members of ALAN have with collective-minded determination committed themselves to transform local economies so that all residents could benefit from the fruits of growing local economies,” said Kambala.
By Engel Nawatiseb