Isaac Hoaeb, who was re-elected as mayor of Otavi on 31 January, assured his continued commitment to solidifying the achievements the council made in addressing the challenges encountered in improving the quality of life for all people.
Hoaeb is deputised by Frieda Mvula, while Erisia Negumbo is the chairperson of the management committee.
Members of the management committee are Timotheus Shipandeni and Naftalie Dausab, while Loide Eshongo was elected as an alternate member.
The office bearers will lead Otavi and its people for the next 12 months.
Hoaeb reminded fellow councillors that everyone should commit to intensifying their efforts toward creating a sustainable environment.
This, he said, is in light of the evident lack of housing, lack of basic services in the informal settlements, land delivery to ultra-low and middle-income groups, the general unemployment and abject poverty, lack of SME development, as well as the lack of infrastructure development.
The town also lacks opportunities for the youth.
“We should, therefore, re-double our efforts with renewed energy around those focal developmental areas if we are to make a positive impact on our commitment to the ideals and dreams of the people of Otavi,” he noted.
Therefore, Hoaeb encouraged councillors to stay on course and continue with the programmes that will give hope to the people of Otavi by providing solutions to their problems and challenges as identified during the stakeholder engagements.
According to him, the council will continue to embark on the sustainable, holistic, participatory and asset-based community transformation plan (Otavi dream), where everyone will take ownership of the development of the Otavi.
He mentioned the community has a role to play in the development of the town, saying “they are not passive observers – we are partners and not enemies”.
“We see every ‘Otavian’ as an asset that has something to contribute towards the development. As ‘Otavians’, we must own our challenges and produce solutions to our challenges to break the dependency. The town belongs to all of us, and all of us have a responsibility to contribute to its development. No ‘Otavian’ should be a passive observer, sitting on the pavilion watching ‘team Otavi’ play.”
Part of his agenda is that council put annual plans in place, based on the Transformational Strategic Plan 2019-2024 as per the ministerial direction.
It seeks to furthermore streamline all developmental projects to spend their utmost energy on feasible projects feasible within the shortest possible time.
Therefore, Hoaeb is convinced that to achieve the set agenda, council will continuously need the active participation of the communities at all levels.
Similarly, the mayor invites the private sector, as key partners in the development of the town, to join the council in the areas of land delivery, housing, town infrastructural development and corporate social responsibility programmes.
This, he suggested, should be done through sound public-private partnerships, based on ethical business practice and principles of accountable governance and win-win relationships.
Hoaeb further stressed that to achieve the set agenda, everyone needs to move in one direction – as councillors and management, whereby each set aside their political affiliation and personal differences.
“Let us acquaint ourselves with the Local Authority Act and guiding frameworks. Full attendance of council meetings and participation is crucial. We must desist from divisions fuelled by political or personal gain (self-interest) or corruption. It is only when we are united that we can propel the livelihood of our people forward,” he stressed. - anakale@nepc.com.na