Local authorities need improved funding formula
SWAKOPMUND – The Association of Local Authorities in Namibia’s president Samuel !Oë-Amseb has said the central government needs to consider an improved funding formula for local authorities’ capital projects.
!Oë-Amsebmadetheobservation during the board of directors meeting that was held in Walvis Bay on Monday.
Alan is a body that represents all local authorities in Namibia and also acts as a liaison between the central government and local authorities in all matters of common interest.
!Oë-Amseb said local authorities are the backbone of the country, as everything starts at the local level. However, better-developed towns are currently experiencing overpopulation due to a lack of development in other towns.
“This is due to the lack of central government funding for capital projects. The government decentralisation programme needs serious intervention. The fact that very few ministries with limited staff have been decentralised to the regions is zero to nothing. These are the reasons people moved to bigger towns in search of employment and better education,” he said.
He also urged the ministry of urban and rural development to improve the allowance of local authority councillors, as their living conditions and level of work do not equal what they earn.
He then also appealed to local authority councillors to put their differences aside and use their energy to serve their communities irrespective of their political affiliations.
“We should be able to work in unison for the sustainable development of our towns to address issues such as poverty and unemployment, particularly amongst women and youth.
ALAN is serious about developing modalities to strengthen the efforts of local authorities in Namibia,” he explained. According to him, ALAN is fully aware of the challenges local authorities experience, including very high outstanding debts residents owe local authorities, further urging residents to settle their debts so that local authorities can provide the necessary services.