The Oshigambo settlement will be upgraded to a town as part of the Rural Development Policy initiated in 2006.
The Oniipa constituency councillor Vilho Nuunyango confirmed this during a formal hearing on the proposed upgrade of the settlement in the Oshikoto region last week.
Nuunyango noted that the town could be established “as soon as possible” once they dealt with administrative issues are dealt with.
“We are happy for the Rural Development Policy, as it is a responsive tool to the rural economy in reducing poverty and improving the livelihoods of rural communities,” he added.
He made the announcement after a concerned group from Oshigambo which consisted of 47 members objected to it becoming a town.
The group representative Jona Mushelenga said there has been a lack of proper consultation regarding the matter by the stakeholders.
He observed that there are environmental and socio-economic impacts on local communities, and this raises concern about the sustainability of the wellbeing of local communities.
Mushelenga also raised concern about towns which were downgraded to village councils in recent years for failing to meet the required standards.
He said 99% of Oshigambo residents would not be able to cope with living in a town, as there is a high number of unemployment or underemployment.
“It is only 1% of our residents who can keep up with the living standards of a town; the rest are weak and underprivileged,” stressed Mushelenga.
He was furthermore worried about water scarcity in the area, and what residents are planning to do to resolve that crisis.
“We are planning to dig a waterpoint… NamWater is no longer a reliable source of water supply,” he said.
Mushelenga, on behalf of the group, then requested that the upgrading of Oshigambo be subjected to further scrutiny, saying they trust that the Oshikoto Regional Council would recognise the significance of their concerns. – Nampa