Namibia seeks stronger local oversight by regional councils
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on New Era
Namibian minister James Sankwasa calls on regional councils to oversee local authorities more closely to improve governance and public services. He says powers should be transferred gradually after councils’ capacities are assessed, at their association’s congress in Rundu, reports New Era.
Namibia’s Urban and Rural Development Minister, James Sankwasa, on Tuesday called on regional councils to strengthen their support for and oversight of local authorities. He was speaking in Rundu at the opening of the ninth congress of the Association of Regional Councils, which brings together elected representatives from Namibia’s 14 regions, according to New Era.
James Sankwasa asked delegates to examine why the powers provided for under the Regional Councils Act are still being insufficiently transferred from the central government to the regions. He said local authorities should first approach their regional council, rather than the minister, on issues related to the management of towns such as Katima Mulilo and Ruacana.
The minister also cited overlapping responsibilities, as well as weaknesses in financial management and public procurement. He called for regular communication between the central government, the Association of Local Authorities and the regional councils, and urged elected representatives to use the powers granted to them by law to support local authorities.
