By Surihe Gaomas
WINDHOEK
Newly promulgated town of Nkurenkuru in the Kavango Region witnessed the official swearing-in ceremony of seven new councillors earlier in the week.
Heikki Hausiku was sworn in as the first Mayor of Nkurenkuru, while Hendrina Naingwendje was elected Deputy Mayor; Erastus Sitentu, Chairperson of the Management Committee. The four other members on the Council are Mirjam Sikwaya, Beata Kanyanga, Thomas Ngoma and Reino Simbungu.
A huge task now lies ahead for the newly-elected councillors after their swearing-in on Tuesday.
Rundu Magistrate Suzette Walter swore in the seven newly-elected councillors for Nkurenkuru at the town’s ELCIN High School Hall.
After taking the oath for the position of Mayor, Heikki Hausiku described the ceremony as a milestone in the historical development of Nkurenkuru, and the Kavango Region in general.
Together with six of his newly sworn-in colleagues in the Council, Hausiku promised to bring development to the newly-proclaimed town for the benefit of its residents.
“Our priorities in the next five years shall be the development of better infrastructure such as water, electricity and better basic needs. We shall ensure that land use, planning surveying and servicing of land in Nkurenkuru town is given priority,” said Hausiku.
Efforts will also be made to create economic activities and attract investment to the town in order to create employment opportunities and maintain economic growth in a sustainable way.
He commended the town’s residents for electing his team, saying this is a sign of maturity. Hausiku assured the residents that the new councillors will take development to a much higher level.
“The trust and confidence you entrusted to us by electing us, is tremendous. The meagre experience, knowledge and capacity we have will not shame and fail you. We will pull up our socks to bring development to our people. We want to be your servants, but not lords, kings and queens over you. We promise,” explained Hausiku.
Speaking at the same occasion, the Regional Councillor of Mpungu Constituency, Hipulua Hamutenya, said a huge challenge lay ahead for the newly-elected councillors which is “enormous but not insurmountable.”
This is mainly because of the high expectations of the residents who want change to happen now and not later.
“I therefore challenge you to do proper planning and developing right policies to regulate, and to create a conducive environment for socio-economic and sustainable development of the town,” said Hamutenya.
He called on the newly- elected town councillors to work as a team for the benefit of the people they serve.
Governor of the Kavango Region, John Thighuru, invited both local and international entrepreneurs to invest in the town’s development.
He said the location of Nkurenkuru, which lies strategically between the four northern regions and right next to Angola, makes it a suitable place for business.
The swearing-in ceremony follows the recently concluded Local Authority Elections at Nkurenkuru last Friday, where the ruling SWAPO Party secured six seats and the Republican Party only one seat.