Kavango West, Nkurenkuru struggle as govt funding delayed
Service delivery at risk amid critical funding delays
Development projects in Nkurenkuru and Kavango West overall are facing an uphill battle as both the town and regional councils continue to grapple with severe funding shortfalls.
Despite allocations in this year’s budget, the councils say they have not received the payments needed to implement key projects, leaving planned improvements in limbo.
The Kavango West Regional Council’s flagship Office Park project, which was allocated N$30 million in the 2025/26 financial year, has yet to receive a single payment, officials said.
Likewise, the Nkurenkuru Town Council reported that it has received no development budget at all.
The councils blame slow disbursements from the urban and rural development ministry and warn that the lack of funds are delaying vital services for residents.
Priorities mapped
In a joint meeting on Monday, both councils agreed to work together to mitigate the impact of the funding gaps. They identified three key priority areas: improving household sanitation, speeding up land servicing and upgrading informal settlements to accelerate inclusive housing delivery.
A major resolution from the meeting requires that all public buildings, including schools, be connected to Nkurenkuru’s sewer system.
“No public buildings, old or new, within Nkurenkuru boundaries should rely on septic tanks,” the council stated, highlighting the need to modernise basic infrastructure in the town.
Officials also said they would focus on improving internal revenue collection to reduce dependence on central government funding, which they said is often delayed or insufficient.
Capacity building for employees and political leadership was also emphasised as a key step toward more efficient service delivery.
Previous reports by Namibian Sun detailed that the Nkurenkuru Town Council ended the 2023/24 financial year with deepening financial troubles that stalled key services and raised concerns over land allocation.
Residents continued to face inadequate water supply, poor sanitation and limited refuse collection, while several capital projects were left incomplete due to budget shortfalls.
The report also highlighted irregularities in the allocation of erven, with only 23 plots sold, generating N$371 250 despite high demand.
Financial statements showed the council generated N$29.5 million in revenue, more than half – N$16.3 million – from central government subsidies, yet closed the year with an accumulated deficit of N$18.9 million, marking a steep increase from N$6.8 million in 2022.
Rising operational costs, including N$20.7 million in employee-related expenses, left little room for infrastructure upgrades, while council owed N$11.9 million to creditors by year-end.
Officials expressed frustration at the disparity between allocations to Nkurenkuru and older towns.
While Katima Mulilo and Omaruru councils received N$100 million and N$300 million, respectively, Kavango West and Nkurenkuru, both relatively young councils, received far less despite having pressing development needs.
“The youngest councils in the country, with many pressing developmental needs, require improved and timely funding from the central government to fulfil our mandates,” the joint statement concluded.
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Despite allocations in this year’s budget, the councils say they have not received the payments needed to implement key projects, leaving planned improvements in limbo.
The Kavango West Regional Council’s flagship Office Park project, which was allocated N$30 million in the 2025/26 financial year, has yet to receive a single payment, officials said.
Likewise, the Nkurenkuru Town Council reported that it has received no development budget at all.
The councils blame slow disbursements from the urban and rural development ministry and warn that the lack of funds are delaying vital services for residents.
Priorities mapped
In a joint meeting on Monday, both councils agreed to work together to mitigate the impact of the funding gaps. They identified three key priority areas: improving household sanitation, speeding up land servicing and upgrading informal settlements to accelerate inclusive housing delivery.
A major resolution from the meeting requires that all public buildings, including schools, be connected to Nkurenkuru’s sewer system.
“No public buildings, old or new, within Nkurenkuru boundaries should rely on septic tanks,” the council stated, highlighting the need to modernise basic infrastructure in the town.
Officials also said they would focus on improving internal revenue collection to reduce dependence on central government funding, which they said is often delayed or insufficient.
Capacity building for employees and political leadership was also emphasised as a key step toward more efficient service delivery.
Previous reports by Namibian Sun detailed that the Nkurenkuru Town Council ended the 2023/24 financial year with deepening financial troubles that stalled key services and raised concerns over land allocation.
Residents continued to face inadequate water supply, poor sanitation and limited refuse collection, while several capital projects were left incomplete due to budget shortfalls.
The report also highlighted irregularities in the allocation of erven, with only 23 plots sold, generating N$371 250 despite high demand.
Financial statements showed the council generated N$29.5 million in revenue, more than half – N$16.3 million – from central government subsidies, yet closed the year with an accumulated deficit of N$18.9 million, marking a steep increase from N$6.8 million in 2022.
Rising operational costs, including N$20.7 million in employee-related expenses, left little room for infrastructure upgrades, while council owed N$11.9 million to creditors by year-end.
Officials expressed frustration at the disparity between allocations to Nkurenkuru and older towns.
While Katima Mulilo and Omaruru councils received N$100 million and N$300 million, respectively, Kavango West and Nkurenkuru, both relatively young councils, received far less despite having pressing development needs.
“The youngest councils in the country, with many pressing developmental needs, require improved and timely funding from the central government to fulfil our mandates,” the joint statement concluded.
[email protected]
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