Linekela Halwoodi
The Erongo Regional Council presented an ambitious development plan for the 2024/2025 financial year during its annual plan presentation in Otjiwarongo last week.
The council’s blueprint aims to prioritise pro-poor initiatives and enhance service delivery, particularly in rural communities, focusing on water and infrastructure development challenges.
Chief Regional Officer of the Erongo Regional Council Mupenzeni Ntelamo outlined the strategic shift in the council’s approach, emphasising the urgent need to address service delivery disparities across the region.
“Our programmes will be pro-poor, aimed at accelerating service delivery and improving the livelihoods of citizens in the remotest parts of the region,” he stated.
Key priorities highlighted in the 2024/2025 budget include initiatives to enhance water accessibility, promote food security and strengthen infrastructural development in underserved areas.
Ntelamo also stressed the importance of data-driven planning, underscoring the significance of understanding the specific needs of the communities, and directing resources accordingly.
Reflecting on the council’s performance in the preceding financial year, the official acknowledged the challenges posed by leadership deficiencies. Despite these obstacles, he expressed optimism about implementing effective reforms to enhance accountability and streamlining procurement processes.
“Our performance is average, I should state. I understand the reason why it’s average. For the last year-and-a-half, this position I am occupying now was not occupied. There could be other factors yes, staff turnover, funds not coming at the right time, and the bureaucracy around procurement. So, these are some of the factors which are really pointing to the reasons why we underperformed. But then, going forward, we are changing our way of doing things. There is a new trajectory which we are going to employ to ensure that every activity we have planned, is actually executed,” Ntelamo emphasised.
The unveiling of the Erongo Regional Council’s development blueprint signals a renewed commitment to addressing socio-economic disparities, and accelerating progress towards inclusive growth and development in the region.
With a focus on pro-poor initiatives and data-driven decision-making, the council aims to foster sustainable development and improve the well-being of all citizens in Erongo.
* Linekela Halwoodi is an information officer for the MICT in Swakopmund, Erongo region.