Ongwediva tables N$205m provisional 2025/26 budget
• N$3 million has been budgeted for leisure park
The Ongwediva Town Council tabled its provisional budget of N$205 million for the financial year 2025/26.
The budget tabled on Tuesday is subject to approval by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
Ongwediva mayor Taarah Shalyefu said the budget will be funded through operational revenues with the budget of N$121.8 million, sale of erven amounting to N$3 million, refunds amounting to N$3.2 million and N$8 million in government subsidies.
Shalyefu said the annual estimates for the financial year 2025/26 were reinforced by the Swapo Party Manifesto 2024 and its implementation plan.
He said the council has prioritised key developmental projects such as land delivery, provision of services infrastructure, construction of social amenities, rehabilitation and upgrading of service infrastructure, acquisition of machinery and equipment, crop field compensations, among other priorities.
“As part of our determination and resolve to enhance and accelerate land delivery, the council has adopted a multi-faceted approach.
"These include the allocation of 275 unserviced erven to the National Housing Enterprises (NHE), the allocation of undeveloped land with a capacity of 200 medium-sized erven to the Development Workshop Namibia, the allocation of 75 unserviced and partially serviced erven to various property developers and the envisaged allocation of approximately 150 erven to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia,” Shalyefu said.
The mayor outlined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and slow economic growth, noting a significant increase in outstanding payments from debtors.
“For the 5th year running, tariffs will not be increased, although a potential water tariff adjustment may occur if NamWater raises its bulk water prices,” Shalyefu said.
Provision of services
He said several areas in Ongwediva lack basic services infrastructure, and amenities, and community members amplified the need during council public meetings, community engagements and through their social media platforms.
He said upgrading roads remains a priority for the council and thus has also received attention in the 2025/26 budget with a combined total of N$46 million set aside.
Shalyefu said the development of sports and recreational facilities is one of the key priority areas of both the eighth administration and the local authority council of Ongwediva.
“Council has made significant strides with the ongoing construction of the Multi-Purpose Sports Facility and the construction of the Leisure Park at Extension 11.
An amount of N$4,3 million has been set aside for the subsequent development phase of the Multi-Purpose Sports Facility, while N$3 million has been budgeted to construct the leisure park,” he said.
Shalyefu reaffirmed the council's commitment to efficiently and effectively implementing its planned operational expenditure and developmental projects.
He then noted the increased debtors' balance of N$81.7 million as of 30 April, attributing it to the recent health and economic challenges.
Shalyefu urged residents to pay, saying the council's success critically depends on the commitment of its customers to pay for services rendered diligently. - [email protected]
The budget tabled on Tuesday is subject to approval by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
Ongwediva mayor Taarah Shalyefu said the budget will be funded through operational revenues with the budget of N$121.8 million, sale of erven amounting to N$3 million, refunds amounting to N$3.2 million and N$8 million in government subsidies.
Shalyefu said the annual estimates for the financial year 2025/26 were reinforced by the Swapo Party Manifesto 2024 and its implementation plan.
He said the council has prioritised key developmental projects such as land delivery, provision of services infrastructure, construction of social amenities, rehabilitation and upgrading of service infrastructure, acquisition of machinery and equipment, crop field compensations, among other priorities.
“As part of our determination and resolve to enhance and accelerate land delivery, the council has adopted a multi-faceted approach.
"These include the allocation of 275 unserviced erven to the National Housing Enterprises (NHE), the allocation of undeveloped land with a capacity of 200 medium-sized erven to the Development Workshop Namibia, the allocation of 75 unserviced and partially serviced erven to various property developers and the envisaged allocation of approximately 150 erven to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia,” Shalyefu said.
The mayor outlined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and slow economic growth, noting a significant increase in outstanding payments from debtors.
“For the 5th year running, tariffs will not be increased, although a potential water tariff adjustment may occur if NamWater raises its bulk water prices,” Shalyefu said.
Provision of services
He said several areas in Ongwediva lack basic services infrastructure, and amenities, and community members amplified the need during council public meetings, community engagements and through their social media platforms.
He said upgrading roads remains a priority for the council and thus has also received attention in the 2025/26 budget with a combined total of N$46 million set aside.
Shalyefu said the development of sports and recreational facilities is one of the key priority areas of both the eighth administration and the local authority council of Ongwediva.
“Council has made significant strides with the ongoing construction of the Multi-Purpose Sports Facility and the construction of the Leisure Park at Extension 11.
An amount of N$4,3 million has been set aside for the subsequent development phase of the Multi-Purpose Sports Facility, while N$3 million has been budgeted to construct the leisure park,” he said.
Shalyefu reaffirmed the council's commitment to efficiently and effectively implementing its planned operational expenditure and developmental projects.
He then noted the increased debtors' balance of N$81.7 million as of 30 April, attributing it to the recent health and economic challenges.
Shalyefu urged residents to pay, saying the council's success critically depends on the commitment of its customers to pay for services rendered diligently. - [email protected]
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