Niël Terblanché
Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn Nawases-Taeyele, says some regional and local authorities have become ATMs for known tender recipients, and this must stop immediately.
She made the remarks on Wednesday while opening the first-ever Local Authorities Convention this week, on behalf of Minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa.
“I have noticed that our regional and local authorities are highly riddled with corruption, financial mismanagement and irregularities, some of which border on incompetence by the staff members appointed, while some are a result of misguided political directions,” she said.
She added that these authorities have become a haven for personal enrichment and nepotism, often under the guise of affirmative action appointments.
Nawases-Taeyele said money transferred by the central government to regional and local authorities for infrastructure and development projects is being used instead for travel and subsistence allowances.
“In certain instances, it is an open fraud exercise which is being committed. Both the internal audit and national audit reports reveal a gloomy picture. No wonder urban and rural development remains the casualty in our country,” she said.
She questioned the role of Management Committees, local authority councils, and chief executive officers when financial management falls apart in their councils.
“It is an open secret that the failure to lead and manage local authorities is at all levels of our governance structures,” she said.
She said political parties are nominating incompetent individuals who are later elected and go on to appoint others based on nepotism, tribalism, regionalism, or political affiliation. “Who may only have years of employment without experience, or where is the problem?” she asked.
The Local Authorities Convention brought together municipal leaders, regional councillors, and stakeholders from across the country and neighbouring states to deliberate on the future of local governance.
She also stressed the critical role of local authorities in delivering essential services and fostering development.
“Let me state it plainly: Good governance is not a favour, it is a duty, and service delivery is not an aspiration, it is a contract which we, as political leaders, have entered into with our people,” she said.
Dr. Samuel !Oe-Amseb, the president of ALAN, acknowledged the persistent obstacles confronting local authorities but commended the unwavering commitment of councillors.
“Despite the challenges, our councillors remain dedicated and hardworking,” he said.
He reiterated ALAN’s determination to prevent underdevelopment in any town or village.
“I will not go to sleep until local authorities are accorded their rightful place in the political hierarchy of Namibia,” he said.
The convention will also serve as a platform to discuss the broader objectives of ALAN, which include promoting sustainable development, enhancing administrative efficiency, and fostering political tolerance among local authorities.
The association aims to build systems that ensure effective governance and to solicit resources that benefit all local authorities, thereby improving service delivery across Namibia.Alan
In addition to domestic concerns, the convention addressed regional cooperation and the importance of aligning local governance with national development agendas.
!Oe-Amseb said that the presence of delegates from neighbouring states demonstrated the shared challenges and opportunities within the Southern African region, stressing the need for collaborative approaches to local governance.
He added that while Namibia continues to navigate the complexities of decentralisation and urbanisation, the inaugural Local Authorities Convention marks a vital step in reinforcing the role of local governments in national development.
He expressed the hope that resolutions from the convention will give rise to policies and initiatives aimed at strengthening local governance structures and enhancing service delivery to communities across the country.
The convention, organised by the Association for Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN), attracted delegates from South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Malawi, and Zambia, alongside Namibian governors, mayors, and chief executive officers.
The gathering aimed to address challenges faced by local authorities and to chart a path towards more effective and inclusive governance.
