Prime minister pushes for local authority innovation

Prime minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila says local authorities have to identify innovative ways to raise revenue to ensure the realisation of much-needed service delivery for residents.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said local authorities must also optimise managing available resources to ensure value for money in order to achieve more with limited resources.

The premier was speaking at a good governance, leadership and project management training for the Association of Local Authorities of Namibia (ALAN), which was hosted in collaboration with the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST) at Ongwediva on Wednesday.

“This includes the timely execution of agreed programmes to eliminate delays in service provision and reduce project cost escalations. It also includes innovation to ensure efficient administration and effective service delivery to private citizens and businesses, as well as transparency and accountability,” she said.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said government expects local authorities to embrace the principles of teamwork with various stakeholders involved in governance and local development, professionalism, ethics and integrity.

Stop fighting

She also addressed infighting among local authority councillors, which she warned hampers service delivery and frustrates residents.

“The infighting among and between local authority leaders and members of staff and unethical conduct divert attention and resources away from pressing priorities that require urgent attention, leaving the public underserved,” Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said.

She emphasised that local authorities play a leading role in fostering socio-economic development in their constituencies by ensuring efficient and effective services to residents and by attracting and nurturing businesses.

This supports the growth of their respective economies and optimises job opportunities.

As such, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said it is critical that their governance systems are robust, with the capacity and resilience to deal with complex challenges and rapidly adapt to change, and that their human resources possess the necessary skills and competencies to ensure optimal performance of local authorities and effective public service delivery.

Manage your money

On the same occasion, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni appealed to local authority leaders to reconsider their stance on debt management.

“I am very disturbed by the fact that your community members are now flocking to my office for assistance due to your action to impose debt collectors on them,” Uutoni said.

He told the council leaders to consider economic hardships within communities, especially among the elderly and unemployed.

Uutoni urged that engagements with the public take place and a mutual agreement be reached to benefit both parties.