Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Outapi Town Council raised N$506 200 at its mayoral dinner and fundraising event held at the town on Saturday.
The largest amount came from NamWater, which donated N$200 000 and Outapi Town Council (N$100 000), while Indian businessman Ali Dharani of Rani Group pledged N$30 000.
Other notable pledges came from businessman Vaino Nghipondoka (N$10 000), O’B Davids Properties (N$25 000), FNB Outapi (N$10 000), and National Housing Enterprises(N$10 000), while Outapi Town Council staff pledged N$11 500.
Local authorities such as Tsandi, Ruacana, Okahao and Oshakati also made pledges, as well as Opuwo, Maltahöhe, Okongo and Walvis Bay. Speaking at the event, Outapi mayor Selma Asino-Shaumbwako said the funds will be used to develop five informal settlements in the northern town.
The mayor said 2 000 residents of Outapi live in the informal settlements.
According to her, the town has five informal settlements, but only two are partly serviced with water, while the other three are not serviced. “Council has so far done significant work regarding the formalisation of the informal settlements.
It also budgeted N$400 000 for the installation of a sewer system in one of the informal settlements only,” she said.
She revealed that the town faces a high demand for land as people are flocking from villages to settle in the town, looking for greener pastures.
Speaking at the same event, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said local authorities are at the forefront of public service, as they deal directly with services and businesses.
“How they discharge their responsibilities, therefore, has a significant impact on the quality of lives of residents and the economy of their localities. Our country is experiencing a high rate of rural to urban migration, resulting in land and housing challenges and increased unemployment in urban areas.
“To deal with these challenges, local authorities need to find alternative ways to enhance their capacities to deliver services to their residents and to optimise development in their areas,” the prime minister said.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila further said she is pleased that many municipal councils have come up with various initiatives like mayoral fundraising events aimed at forming strategic alliances with other stakeholders to mobilise resources to complement public resources to address the basic needs of the public.
Apart from mayoral fundraising, the prime minister said, there is a need to embrace other financing options such as public-private partnerships to accelerate development and increase economic activities.
In his sermon at the event, retired bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia Josephat Shanghala said Namibians live like foreigners in their own country while foreigners live well.
“Where did we go wrong? Young people in Namibia live in poverty, hunger and violence. We need a heart with love in Namibia today. We need to change and that change is us. We need to change our hearts, and we need to create sustainable ways of producing food. Children are suffering from malnutrition,” the former bishop said.
Shanghala is the father of Fishrot-accused and former attorney general
Sacky Shanghala.
The largest amount came from NamWater, which donated N$200 000 and Outapi Town Council (N$100 000), while Indian businessman Ali Dharani of Rani Group pledged N$30 000.
Other notable pledges came from businessman Vaino Nghipondoka (N$10 000), O’B Davids Properties (N$25 000), FNB Outapi (N$10 000), and National Housing Enterprises(N$10 000), while Outapi Town Council staff pledged N$11 500.
Local authorities such as Tsandi, Ruacana, Okahao and Oshakati also made pledges, as well as Opuwo, Maltahöhe, Okongo and Walvis Bay. Speaking at the event, Outapi mayor Selma Asino-Shaumbwako said the funds will be used to develop five informal settlements in the northern town.
The mayor said 2 000 residents of Outapi live in the informal settlements.
According to her, the town has five informal settlements, but only two are partly serviced with water, while the other three are not serviced. “Council has so far done significant work regarding the formalisation of the informal settlements.
It also budgeted N$400 000 for the installation of a sewer system in one of the informal settlements only,” she said.
She revealed that the town faces a high demand for land as people are flocking from villages to settle in the town, looking for greener pastures.
Speaking at the same event, prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said local authorities are at the forefront of public service, as they deal directly with services and businesses.
“How they discharge their responsibilities, therefore, has a significant impact on the quality of lives of residents and the economy of their localities. Our country is experiencing a high rate of rural to urban migration, resulting in land and housing challenges and increased unemployment in urban areas.
“To deal with these challenges, local authorities need to find alternative ways to enhance their capacities to deliver services to their residents and to optimise development in their areas,” the prime minister said.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila further said she is pleased that many municipal councils have come up with various initiatives like mayoral fundraising events aimed at forming strategic alliances with other stakeholders to mobilise resources to complement public resources to address the basic needs of the public.
Apart from mayoral fundraising, the prime minister said, there is a need to embrace other financing options such as public-private partnerships to accelerate development and increase economic activities.
In his sermon at the event, retired bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Namibia Josephat Shanghala said Namibians live like foreigners in their own country while foreigners live well.
“Where did we go wrong? Young people in Namibia live in poverty, hunger and violence. We need a heart with love in Namibia today. We need to change and that change is us. We need to change our hearts, and we need to create sustainable ways of producing food. Children are suffering from malnutrition,” the former bishop said.
Shanghala is the father of Fishrot-accused and former attorney general Sacky Shanghala.
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