Mbangu warns budget biased towards urban development

National Council lawmaker Paulus Mbangu has warned that the appropriation bill reinforces a development model biased in favour of urban communities.He said this will only exacerbate disparities between urban and rural areas and deepen the divide between the haves and the have-nots.During Tuesday's contribution to the bill in the National Council, Mbangu urged government to confront this issue. “The allocations in the current budget appear to be grounded more in historical budgeting practices than in a nuanced understanding of community needs," he noted. "For instance, the highest development budget is allocated to the Khomas region, followed closely by the Erongo region. In stark contrast, regions such as Kavango East, Omusati, Ohangwena and Kavango West receive the lowest allocations,” he pointed out. Increase funds Mbangu said these imbalances are not just statistics but reflect the unequal opportunities available to citizens.To put it into perspective, he said the budget for the Khomas region alone accounts for a staggering 24% of the total development budget, yet the region is already far more developed than rural areas.He added that while it is essential to recognise the developmental needs of the capital city, the pressing challenges faced by rural communities cannot be ignored.“True progress cannot be achieved while entire communities are left behind. I call on this House to support a motion requesting our caring president to intervene and increase the capital budget for rural regions,” Mbangu urged.“We must advocate for a budget informed by relevant data, one that addresses real needs, and one that leaves no region behind,” he said. nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Mbangu warns budget biased towards urban development

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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Mbangu warns budget biased towards urban development

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-01

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