By Emma Kakololo
WINDHOEK
A memorandum of co-opera-tion has been signed between the Okakarara Town Council and the municipalities of Tsumeb and Grootfontein, with the aim to enhance economic development in these communities as well as the country.
The memorandum which was signed last week covers basic guidelines and orientation, while also setting out the common actions that are being developed in terms of planning and dealing with everyday problems facing citizens of the three towns.
“Charity begins at home,” said the Mayor of Okakarara Tjatjitirani Kandukira at the signing ceremony on Friday.
“Therefore, if such agreements are signed, they must be honoured to the benefit of all local authorities represented.”
He said in order to improve local authorities service provision, and for the country to achieve its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), specific areas of cooperation have been identified which include, amongst others: human resource development; waste management; town planning; tourism; local economic development; cultural exchange; lobbying for regional development; human habitat and service delivery.
“In terms of these agreements, Okakarara Town Council and the Municipalities of Tsumeb and Grootfontein will engage in constructive dialogue.”
Also speaking at the event, Mayor of Grootfontein Kamehozu Rapama said there was a need for a long-term plan for competency development and capacity building within the authorities.
Grootfontein was once a thriving and pompous economic capital of North-Eastern Namibia.
The colossal South African colonial military presence in the 80s and 90s contributed to an artificial economic explosion in the town. Similarly, the capital of the Oshikoto Region Tsumeb strives for economic prosperity.
Despite being famous in the world for the huge mineral deposits that led to its foundation, Tsumeb has a high unemployment rate while the informal market remains the largest in-come generator for the poor.