The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has approved the N$69.7 million budget for the Oshana Regional Council for the 2022/2023 financial year.

The council’s spokesperson Elly Ashikoto said the budget was approved this week with an estimated sum of N$69 726 571.

She added that the ministry has approved the amendment of the council’s new tariffs in terms of section 22 (1) of the Regional Councils Act, 1992 (Act of 22 of 1992), as amended.

The regional council is amending the charges in respect of the services they render.

“The operational budget for the regional council will be funded by a grant of close to N$52 million from the central government through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development,” explained Ashikoto.

The ministry also gave the go-ahead to finance over N$3.4 million for capital projects.

“The money includes N$945 000 for the development of service infrastructure in the settlement areas of Eheke and Uukwangula,” she stated.

An additional amount of over N$2 million will be used to build rural toilets in order to provide basic sanitation, while an amount of N$423 077 will be utilised for rural development programmes such as the food/cash for work and microfinance programmes.

“The Oshana Regional Council has also budgeted an amount of over N$1 million for road infrastructure at the Uukwangula settlement area under the Road Fund Administration (RFA).”

Ashikoto commented that the regional council shall continue to manage public funds entrusted in their care in accordance with the provisions of the State Finance Act 31 of 1991, and shall remain transparent and accountable in the execution of its budget in accordance with the implementation of its annual plan.

- vkaapanda@nepc.com.na