Lack of service delivery unacceptable, Nandi-Ndaitwah says

The lack of service delivery within local authorities and government structures is highly unacceptable.

This according to Swapo vice-president Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who was speaking at a party rally for the Khomas Region held on Saturday in the capital.

She said lengthy bureaucratic processes that impede service delivery to the people need serious review.

“I call on party officials who are at the local authorities to become more active and effective in dealing with issues that may have an effect on the lives of our people. There is a need for a complete overhaul of the business operations and to re-engineer processes in order to cut out waste. This is the only way we will be able to deliver on our mandate.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah said Windhoek has 132 informal settlements and this puts pressure on government to provide services - such as housing, water and sanitation, electricity and road infrastructure - to some residents.

“However, cooperation between the City of Windhoek management, the community, the regional council and central government will go a long way in changing the face of the city for the better.”

She said it is encouraging that the City, regional council and central government have developmental policies, but added that these need effective implementation.

These policies include the upgrading of informal settlements, building of open markets and strategies for youth engagement.

Positive strides

According to Nandi-Ndaitwah, the government has made positive strides post-pandemic to provide services, such as the electrification of various informal areas, the provision of rural sanitation through portable toilets, the development of road infrastructure and the completion of educational facilities in areas such as the Tobias Hainyeko, Moses Garoeb, Khomasdal, Windhoek Rural and Katutura East constituencies.

She added that the Khomas Region has great industrial potential, specifically in service provision industries, and urged residents to establish businesses that are sustainable.

“As a country with a small population, we cannot depend on economies of scale because our markets easily become saturated with the same businesses. Systematic planning is key if we are to achieve our planned strategies and objectives.”

According to her, agriculture can be a successful economic activity, if properly planned and managed.

“Agriculture creates needed employment and ensures food security. It is critical that we create an environment for self-sufficiency.”

Change the law

Meanwhile, the Swapo vice-president said the Local Authorities Act does not allow backyard gardens to be established, but they know the activity is taking place on a small scale.

“Why can we not make a study to determine the base of that Act, is it water or other factors? Where there are laws that are disadvantaging our people and development, they must be changed without delay.”

Nandi-Ndaitwah added that agricultural activities should not end at primary production.

“They should be extended towards the establishment of value addition industries.”

She further noted that one of the untapped sectors that holds high potential is the creative arts industry, adding that it is a game-changer and a catalyst for sustainable growth, primarily because it is most taken up by the youth.