Sankwasa confirms unused informal settlement money goes to towns that deliver
No return to Treasury, says minister
Urban and rural development minister Sankwasa James Sankwasa says he will not allow local authorities to return unused funds earmarked for informal settlement development to the Treasury but will instead redirect them to towns willing to use them.
Sankwasa underlined this decision on Thursday in Ondangwa, where he visited several projects.
Speaking to the media after his tour, he said he was satisfied with the development activities, such as the construction of houses for both low- and high-income earners, sewage management and rural electrification.
Asked about his ministry’s decision to divert funds from local authorities that are not carrying out the mandate to formalise informal settlements, he said the money would go to towns ready to take up the task.
“We have given money to specified local authorities for the formalisation of informal settlements to make provisions for sewer, water and electricity,” Sankwasa noted.
"The budget is allocated for 12 months," he explained.
He underlined that if local authorities "don’t want that money, I will take it to those that want it. I will not tell you to return that money to Treasury, because you are failing to do your job.”
Budget cuts
His remarks followed a report that the ministry has slashed the City of Windhoek’s N$750 million informal settlements upgrade allocation by N$255 million, citing the municipality’s alleged non-action.
The 34% cut to the original allocation will be channelled to “responsive” local authorities elsewhere, it was reported.
The move followed an 18 August meeting chaired by Sankwasa, who recently said he had considered recalling City councillors over persistent non-performance.
The ministry’s executive director, Wilhelmine Shivute, confirmed the decision but did not specify which local authorities will receive the redirected funds.
[email protected]
Sankwasa underlined this decision on Thursday in Ondangwa, where he visited several projects.
Speaking to the media after his tour, he said he was satisfied with the development activities, such as the construction of houses for both low- and high-income earners, sewage management and rural electrification.
Asked about his ministry’s decision to divert funds from local authorities that are not carrying out the mandate to formalise informal settlements, he said the money would go to towns ready to take up the task.
“We have given money to specified local authorities for the formalisation of informal settlements to make provisions for sewer, water and electricity,” Sankwasa noted.
"The budget is allocated for 12 months," he explained.
He underlined that if local authorities "don’t want that money, I will take it to those that want it. I will not tell you to return that money to Treasury, because you are failing to do your job.”
Budget cuts
His remarks followed a report that the ministry has slashed the City of Windhoek’s N$750 million informal settlements upgrade allocation by N$255 million, citing the municipality’s alleged non-action.
The 34% cut to the original allocation will be channelled to “responsive” local authorities elsewhere, it was reported.
The move followed an 18 August meeting chaired by Sankwasa, who recently said he had considered recalling City councillors over persistent non-performance.
The ministry’s executive director, Wilhelmine Shivute, confirmed the decision but did not specify which local authorities will receive the redirected funds.
[email protected]
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article