By Michael Liswaniso OPUWO After almost a year of operating without a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Opuwo Town Council has finally filled the hot seat. Alphons Hitjevi Tjitombo, 39, is the new chief with effect from October 2. Tjitombo brings with him strong financial management skills, with a national diploma in public administration majoring in financial accounting, as well as a bachelor of technology degree in public management. Before joining the Opuwo Town Council, he served in different senior positions at Shell Namibia for nine years. He was also town treasurer at the Okakarara Town Council. In a brief interview with New Era recently, Tjitombo said his heart is in the environmental assessment once the strategic plan as per the Office of the Prime Minister’s guidelines is in full force. He said he is currently looking at the revival of the administration structure of the embattled town council and fully implementing the short-term action plans that will see the prosperity of the town. “I strongly believe in results. An input with a good output is my principal aim. I want to stabilize the revenue base through intensive collections so that we redeem the council’s credibility.” He noted that he is currently busy preparing the town profile, a land delivery process and the property register among other things, adding that most will be in place once the strategic plan is finalized. “I am planning to have an investor conference soon.” Though in office for only two weeks now, Tjitombo said he has already commissioned a survey that will see results being used to draw up a refuse strategy. “I want to stabilize the refuse removal. I am even planning to establish a refuse removal committee that will at least stabilize the current trend in our town,” he assured. Tjitombo is on a five-year renewable contract. He takes over from Liburtus Mbaumba, whose five-year contract expired in the middle of May while he was on suspension on charges of fraud, theft and having allegedly “overpaid” himself. His court appearance is yet to be scheduled, while that of his co-accused, Dickson Kahuva, the suspended town treasurer, is to be heard this month. The head of the technical division at the town council, Abel Katjoho has been acting in the CEO position ever since Mbaumba’s suspension late last year. In July this year, the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development seconded a senior chief control officer from Windhoek, Eberhardt Kaitjindi, to temporarily lead until the appointment of the new chief. The line ministry also seconded an accountant, Ria Minnie, to act as the town treasurer. Tjitombo hails from Orumana, a village 30 km south east of Opuwo.