ORANJEMUND - Out of an approved budget of over N$266 million for the 2023/24 financial year, the Oranjemund Town Council expects to spend the bulk thereof, more than N$93 million, on operational expenses.
This includes, among others, some N$55 million to be earmarked for service delivery.
When the budget is dissected, then the service delivery amount includes N$720 000 for dumpsite management, over N$3 million for wet services (including water services, plumbing and drainage systems) over N$2 million for water distribution, some N$30 million for bulk purchase of electricity, N$850 000 for disaster risk management and other expenditure such as tools and materials to support the council’s daily operations.
“The 2023/2024 capital budget includes numerous and significant on-going initiatives that prepare for the long-term viability and sustainability of Oranjemund,’’ explained acting CEO Charles Kakuru.
In response to New Era questions, Kakuru noted that numerous projects are planned, with an overall project cost estimate of just over NS171 million. This includes various projects carried over from previous financial years as well as new capital projects planned for the current financial year.
According to the acting CEO, the council made a budgetary provision of N$6 million during the current financial year, specifically earmarked for a low-cost housing scheme. The council is expected to partner on this housing scheme with the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) and Namibia Housing Action Group.
In this case, the town council partners are expected to utilise funds to construct affordable low-cost houses through the Shack Dwellers housing programme and the Decentralised Build Together programme.
‘’As part of the low-cost housing programme, council granted approval for 135 erven be allocated to the residents of Oranjemund at a subsidised rate through the SDFN in Extension 10 and in addition, we are awaiting approval to enter in partnership with SDFN and Namibia Housing Action Group,” Kakuru explained.
Other notable ongoing projects mentioned by the local authority administrator is that of the completion of a fire station, construction of services (electricity and paved roads) of Extension 4b (Phase 2), construction of a landfill site, upgrading of roads (Baghdad Road), the low-cost housing scheme, upgrading of a water pump station and construction of an SME Business Park (Phase 3).
‘’New capital projects budgeted for 2023/2024 financial year include, inter alia, the construction of services (Phase 1) at extensions; six, seven and 11, as well as the low-cost housing scheme, upgrading of control panels and sewer pump station, bowling club development and lastly, upgrading of the Fehlman Well (water pump station).
“The Oranjemund Town Council remains committed to improve its services, amid constrained resources and many other challenges, hence council prioritised its needs for the FY 2023/2024 budget to ensure that capital projects are completed within the set timeframes,” the acting CEO noted.
Commenting on challenges hindering town development plans; Kakuru mentioned inadequate funding for town planning and land formalisation, a lack of housing and accommodation, particularly for the low-income groups, and inadequate funding for the upgrading of ageing infrastructure (water, sewerage, electrical).
Probed on any outstanding debt with utility services providers such as NamWater and NamPower, Kakuru responded; ‘’Council does not owe any utility suppliers because OTC’s water extraction, water supply and distribution and purification are done on its own whereby after the water is purified, quality testing samples are taken on a monthly basis at various designated places across the water network, and are sent to NamWater’s Applied Scientific Services Division for chemical and microbiology analyses in accordance with the Water Resource Management Act, Act 1 1 of 2013, ‘’ Kakuru emphasised.
He added: “Oranjemund is currently supplied with electricity via a 22KV powerline from Eskom whereby the power-line runs across the river to the Farm Groot Derm from where electricity is then distributed to town.’’
Kakuru further provided assurance that the local authority will remain committed to ensure financial control and sustainability, through the guidance and implementation of the council’s credit control and debt collection policy resolutions and other relevant statutory laws. “Currently, the total amount owed (by residents) in terms of rates and taxes to the Oranjemund Town Council stands at N$13 million,” he informed this publication.
Kakuru concluded that the town authority, will, through its mandate, vigorously continue to develop the town and uplift living standards by creating an enabling environment for businesses and residents to flourish.