Councillors hit back at Sankwasa

Regional councillors have pushed back against urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa’s criticism of underperforming councillors, arguing they cannot be blamed for poor service delivery without the funds and tools to implement projects.They say the absence of a dedicated constituency development fund (CDF) leaves them unable to respond to community needs and want parliament to fast-track the proposed CDF bill.The debate follows Sankwasa’s recent remarks that voters can petition to start a process that could eventually see councillors removed for failing in their duties.Kapako constituency councillor Augustinus Kupembona said it was unfair to assess councillors’ performance when government had not provided the necessary resources.“There’s no way you can measure performance if there are no resources allocated,” he told Namibian Sun last week.He said the Kavango West Regional Council received only N$50 million this financial year, mostly for administration, salaries and development activities.Kupembona asked how replacing underperforming councillors would improve service delivery if their successors faced the same financial constraints.Citing recent heavy rains and strong winds that affected five villages in his constituency, he said councillors lacked the resources to help.“What we do now is take a picture, share it on social media and maybe some people will pick it up to assist. That’s not responsive government,” he said.He said councillors sometimes use their own money to provide assistance.Kupembona called for development funds to be channelled directly to constituency councillors instead of through the urban and rural development ministry and regional councils.Constrained by fundsNcuncuni constituency councillor Michael Naiteta described Sankwasa’s remarks as unfair.“You cannot just fire someone if you have not given this person the tools, the necessary resources,” he said.Naiteta said he had more than 20 quotations for electricity projects in his constituency.“The thing is, there’s no way that you will get the money,” he said, explaining that councillors had to submit quotations to the regional council and motivate for funding during council meetings, where they competed with other constituencies for limited allocations.He said meaningful development is not possible with a lack of funds, noting that approximately N$80 000 was allocated for supplying water pipes to a village.“What is it that you can do with N$80 000?” he said.Naiteta added that he had examined the Regional Councils Act and could not find a provision allowing voters to petition for councillors’ removal over poor performance.“I went through the Act to read, and I did not find any,” he said.Katutura Central constituency councillor Rodman Katjaimo said: “How do you expect us to perform without the necessary resources? Why has the Constituency Development Fund Bill not yet been passed?” he asked.Katjaimo echoed Naiteta’s concerns about the legal basis for removing councillors, saying the Regional Councils Act did not contain such a provision.“Give us the necessary tools so that we can deliver on the needs and aspirations of our people,” he said.

Councillors hit back at Sankwasa

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

Please login to leave a comment

Councillors hit back at Sankwasa

Comments

Namibian Sun 2026-11-10

Please login to leave a comment

Subscription Required to Access Content ×

Login

Subscription Required to Access Content