OSHAKATI – The Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni has implored regional and local authority councillors to desist from infighting, which could lead to poor service delivery.

Speaking at the induction workshop with the regional, local authority councillors and administrators at Oshakati yesterday, Uutoni implored the region’s leadership to be people-centred and to serve the nation irrespective of their political affiliation, race and gender.

“No divisive petty party politics, self-serving interests and infighting among councillors, and between councillors and administrative staff. Council meetings must not be used as platforms for divisive political agendas but to discuss and find solutions to community problems and needs,” said Uutoni. According to Uutoni, the induction workshop has been purposefully organised to assist the newly elected councillors and administrators from regional and local authority councils to better understand the policies, legal, institutional and administrative framework that governs the jurisdiction in which they operate.

It is the minister’s hope that the knowledge gained from the workshop will not be used for personal gains but serve better and bring about benefits of the public. “The ultimate aim is to enable you, Hon councillors and your administrators, to manage the affairs of your councils more effectively and efficiently – and above all, to the expectations of the sovereign, the citizens,” said Uutoni.

He called on leadership to consult with the general public when planning and implementing developmental initiatives.
He further called for leadership to create open platforms and channels for constructive communications and information sharing amongst themselves and the communities they serve. 

“Councillors and officials must also be easily accessible and periodically engage members of the community,” said Uutoni. In the same vein, the minister also called upon the prioritisation of land and service delivery.

Also speaking at the same event, governor of Oshana region Elia Irimari called on the leadership to promote capacity building and personnel development, further calling on leadership to fill vacancies within their respective institutions.
Equally, he urged councillors to provide effective and efficient leadership support to the staff to ensure programs and projects are implemented promptly.

The weeklong workshop is attended by regional and local authority councillors and administrators from Otjozondjupa, Kavango West and Oshana. - nashipala@nepc.com.na