Grootfontein local authority councillors and management this week put their differences aside to chart an effective public service delivery plan.
The politicians and officials have gathered at Otavi, where a five-year strategic plan of the council is being hatched.
Of late, the town has been in the media for all the wrong reasons, including infighting among managers and councillors, financial mismanagement and serious allegations of gross negligence.
Grootfontein mayor Talitha Garises, who has been at the centre of political infighting, including championing the suspension of CEO Kisco Sinvula, in her address admitted not all is rosy, and the situation needs urgent redress.
Chairperson of the management committee Elizabeth Kastoor confirmed to New Era Sinvula is not part of the meeting, as he is still on suspension.
She said investigations are still underway, as the charges against him are of serious, gross violations.
Kastoor said the team is now led by the acting CEO Sarie Hangara.
On financial audits, Garises acknowledged the audit outcomes of the council are not pleasing.
Therefore, she stressed there is a need for a radical turnaround approach to managing the public purse and the image of this council.
Another issue of concern is the council’s debt collection, which she says is not at a satisfactory rate.
The outstanding debt collection currently stands at a whopping N$130 million.
“If I don’t talk about money, money is like blood in our body; it is important that we continue to be vigilant and guard against the temptations of financial mismanagement, which may lead to fraud, corruption and discrediting this current leadership of this municipality,” said Garises.
Garises reminded fellow councillors and strategists that service delivery-related challenges continue to be a pain for them as a leadership.
The challenges, she said, include lack of water and sanitation, particularly the infrastructure refurbishment.
The other pressing issue is the development aspect in line with the spatial development framework, land use management and provision of land for middle-income earners.
Garises also mentioned the need to strengthen the local economic development strategy.
Empowerment of the youth and women population as well as provision of parks for relaxation and entertainment to foster sound family relationships were other areas that need attention.
“Of course, we need sound, critical thinking and resourceful administration supporting the political leadership to put the municipality of Grootfontein on the map in Otjozondjupa, and also nationally and globally.”
She emphasised the need to find ways to improve the water supply, saying this is coupled with the provision of sanitation.
Furthermore, she raised concern over the level of unemployment, especially amongst the youth, which has reached an “unacceptable state”.
“Our town, consisting of a large percentage of the young population, cannot afford or continue to deal with issues of local economic development as ‘business as usual’. For this, I challenge the strategic executives here this week to think out of the box and come up with visionary plans to turn around the economic situation of the municipality of Grootfontein,” Garises directed.
She urged fellow councillors and staff to be knowledgeable of pieces of legislation in order to be financially compliant.
Therefore, she said, there is a need to steadfast the debt collection strategy implementation and revenue enhancement.
“This will surely take us to the next capacity level and contribute to our economic growth and investors’ attraction. As I conclude, I expect the outcomes of this strategic planning should forge consensus on the immediate, medium and long-term strategic priorities, as well as financial and political commitments. The recommendations and decisions made during this session must be evidence-based, feasible and sustainable,” she said.
anakale@nepc.com.na