Africa-Press – Namibia. THE Walvis Bay municipality will now be guided by its new five-year strategic plan that was launched at the town on Monday.
The plan will operate until June 2026 under the theme ‘Steering the Walvis Bay ship from the present to a progressive future through transformational leadership’. It was designed through the input of about 63 promises made by political parties to the community.
Walvis Bay municipality acting chief executive officer and strategic plan committee chairperson David Uushona said the promises were summed up in eight strategic objectives. The objectives would deal with economy and employment, housing, municipal staff, information systems, financial sustainability, safety, public health, and engineering and infrastructure.
“This time we decided to establish an internal strategic plan, which [was drawn up by a team] of three leaders and three technocrats. Doing it internally enhanced ownership and pride, and served as capacity development, while saving the council a lot of money. The planning is usually done administratively, but this time all political parties and associations submitted their manifestos. We took those promises and refined them into the strategic objectives of the plan,” said Uushona.
Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes said the plan would allow the municipality to be proactive, especially when it comes to service delivery, and would give the municipality a sense of direction. It would also increase the operational efficiency of the municipality.
“It is critical for any organisation to have a strategic plan. This process allowed us to look at what is going on in our town. We had to critically draw plans as a council, illuminating where we want to see the town in the next five years. Finally, we had to determine the steps needed to get us there. I am so proud that this process was done in-house. When we came into office, the strategic plan of the Municipality of Walvis Bay had lapsed. We are now looking forward to the successful implementation, as well as execution of the plan,” he said.
The strategic plan includes a revised Walvis Bay urban structure plan, backyard shacks and Tutaleni decongestion, coordinated low-cost and affordable housing schemes, strategic human resource development plan, digital building plan submission system, improved budgeting process, satellite fire stations establishment, CCTV installation project, and an integrated water and sewerage master plan.
Erongo regional governor Neville Andre congratulated and motivated the municipality.
“The good thing is that there is finally a plan. You are taking on an old ship with defects. It is being repaired to see what needs to be done. You also need to ensure that you have a permanent and competent chief executive officer. You will not be able to work with an acting captain. You need to be transparent with the community and also let them know what is expected from them. Residents want employment, proper services and to be involved. When the ship sinks, it sinks with everybody. As the regional leadership, we will help to ensure that Walvis Bay will become a city, with the opportunities that the town has to offer,” he said.
Walvis Bay has started executing projects in line with the strategic plan, including road repairs.
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