Windhoek: The Kavango West Regional Council has announced that a severe budget shortfall will significantly impact the delivery of basic services and hinder council operations in the 2026/27 financial year.
According to Namibia Press Agency, during the general staff meeting held on Thursday, Fillipus Tenga, the Kavango West Regional Council chairperson and Nkurenkuru Constituency councillor, highlighted the financial predicament facing the council. The council received a government operational subsidy of N$50,570,311 for the 2026/27 fiscal year, but a considerable portion of this funding has already been allocated.
Tenga explained that while the council appreciates the government's ongoing support, the subsidy is insufficient to sustain council operations or meet constitutional and statutory obligations. Of the total subsidy, N$43 million is earmarked for personnel expenditure, which includes salaries, benefits, and other employee-related costs, as well as existing contractual obligations like security services and office rentals.
The council's financial constraints are further strained by utilities and other essential expenses, leaving minimal funds for daily operations. Tenga noted that N$7 million is already committed to utility charges up to June for both the new regional head office and the Katwitwi settlement office. This financial strain means that the council lacks funds for critical operational activities such as electricity, water, fuel, and travel.
Tenga warned that councillors and officials will face challenges in traveling to constituencies to provide services, oversee projects, or engage with communities. While the council will respond to meeting invitations, participation may be limited to virtual attendance due to a lack of transport funds. The council's vehicles will remain unused as there are no funds for fuel or essential maintenance.
He also expressed concerns that the council risks disconnection from essential services such as water, electricity, and internet, and may struggle to fulfill contracts with service providers, including security companies protecting council assets.
Tenga reminded attendees that the region, which includes only one local authority, Nkurenkuru Town Council, and one settlement, Katwitwi, has faced developmental delays and weakened service delivery due to underfunding and frozen posts since its creation. He emphasized the political leaders' constitutional duty to advocate for the people they represent.
Tenga called on the central government to reassess the funding model for regional councils, officially recognize growth points as settlements and village councils, and provide adequate funding to enable councils to perform their duties effectively.