Katima mulilo: The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has allocated N.dollars 100 million to the Katima Mulilo Town Council (KMTC) to provide immediate water and electricity services to informal settlements.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this announcement was made by Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, during a consultative meeting focused on the town’s development and ongoing council matters. The informal areas targeted for these services include Nova, Macaravani West, and Diary Compound, with a contractor expected to be appointed by Friday.

In addition, the Bukalo Village Council has been granted N.dollars 35 million for services such as water, electricity, sewerage, sanitation, and roads. Sankwasa emphasized that the provision of these services marks a shift from past challenges, stating, “If someone is talking about there’s no water and electricity, that person is talking about the past. N.dollars 100 million is here.”

Sankwasa urged residents to cooperate, especially those who might need to relocate, highlighting that this funding is the beginning of broader development efforts for the town and region. He also addressed an auditors’ report on KMTC’s operations following the removal of town councillors. The report uncovered issues of maladministration, corruption, and mismanagement, including unpaid utilities by businesses and tender irregularities. It also noted that RedForce Debt Management lacked a formal contract with KMTC.

The minister questioned whether he should have allowed the councillors to continue under such conditions, warning that future councillors could face similar scrutiny if mismanagement persists. Meanwhile, residents have demanded that the report be made public and that action be taken against RedForce.

However, Chrispin Muyoba, the town council’s Head of Public Relations, informed Nampa that the audit report would remain confidential to protect ongoing investigations.