Windhoek: Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Inna Hengari, has ordered the Nkurenkuru Town Council to bring its travel allowances, financial reporting, and service delivery priorities in line with the law. Speaking to Nampa after a public hearing held at the local community hall on Tuesday, Hengari highlighted ongoing issues raised in the latest auditor-general's report for the 2024 financial year, which echo findings dating back to 2020 that the council has not addressed.
According to Namibia Press Agency, Hengari pointed to the council's subsistence and travel allowances as a significant violation of the Local Authorities Act. She emphasized that the law specifies only the minister may determine such benefits for local authorities. "The Local Authorities Act talks about a minister making determinations in terms of a subsistence and travel allowance policy. The council is not allowed to make determinations that exceed the amount the minister has determined," Hengari stated.
Hengari further criticized the council for setting its own allowance amounts despite repeated warnings from oversight bodies. Another major concern is the town's dumping site, where the council admitted to lacking technical expertise. Hengari rejected this excuse, noting the ongoing poor waste management affecting residents.
"There is a priority crisis here in Nkurenkuru," she remarked, questioning why funds are allocated to other areas while failing to obtain proper certification from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism for the dumping site. Hengari stressed the need for the council to prioritize residents over benefits for officials.
She also highlighted issues of poor financial transparency, noting that councillors are often sidelined by management regarding key financial information and statements. Hengari stated that this practice contradicts the Constitution and the Local Authorities Act, which outline the duties and functions of councillors and public representatives.
Hengari indicated that the committee will allow the council time to address these issues but warned that the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts will revisit Nkurenkuru to verify compliance. In her closing remarks, Hengari stated that the goal is not to create division between management and councillors but to ensure they work together in the interest of the residents who elected them.