News from council chambers
During the Ordinary Municipal Council Meeting held on Thursday, Deputy Mayor Joseph Uapingene announced that they had concluded their annual strategic and budget review cycle to evaluate progress to date and challenges encountered in the implementation of their Strategic Plan (2022-2027) for the period 2023/24.He said that they had also deliberated on budget priorities for the 2024/25 financial year which commences on 1 July 2024, with markets; high mast lights per constituency; the upgrading of bus stops; paving of streets; land delivery and affordable housing; and basic services (sanitation, water, and electrification projects) being priority areas.
“Other priorities include the development of new soccer fields, youth and social development programmes, renovating the Greenwell Matongo library, SME development programmes, preserving the old council chambers as a heritage site, and consideration to use the Ramatex space as a uniform factory,” he said.
He added that while municipal performance evaluations indicate that they are on course, the challenges underscore the need for continuous improvements in organisational capacity which includes a Work Study/Productivity Audit and economic development strategies.
Other highlights
• Solid waste buy-back centre
On 12 April 2024, Windhoek’s first solid waste buy-back centre – a partnership between the City of Windhoek and the City of Bremen – was inaugurated. Here residents can earn an income by selling recycled items. This project came about through non-refundable grant funding by the European Union, valued at over N$36 million.
• Extension of pensioners debt relief programme
The City has registered around 3 000 pensioners for the municipal Debt Relief Programme so far and the registration process has been extended to 31 May 2024. However, registrations will be strictly conducted at the Katutura Customer Care Office during the weekdays, from Mondays to Fridays, from 08:00 to 16:00.
• Windhoek’s water usage levels
The three dams supplying water to Windhoek are experiencing significantly reduced levels of water due to minimal inflow during the rainy season. As a result, NamWater has decreased the water supply to Windhoek from 75% to 40% of the total water demand.
While residents have been required to reduce water consumption by at least 10%, they are not reaching this target and not saving enough water as per the current Category C Water Scarcity,. With the continued, extended water shortage, the City may soon be forced to declare a more severe Category D, or Severe Water Scarcity, with even more associated restrictions compared to the current Category C.
• Electricity pre-paid meter update project
The City’s electricity team is busy updating all pre-paid electricity meters in the capital. These updates need to be completed by 24 November this year and the public’s participation is essential.
This work is done, per suburb, every Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 19:00, and over weekends from 08:00 to 16:30. The team is currently attending to houses in Goreangab, Hakahana, Havana, Katutura, Okuryangava, and Wanaheda. The City implored residents to co-operate with officials and allow them to enter their homes to update meters.
• /Ae //Gams Arts & Cultural Festival
The City invited residents to join in the fun and entertainment of the Windhoek /Ae //Gams Arts & Cultural Festival on 26 and 27 April. Highlights include an up-cycling fashion show, lots of music, comedy shows, poetry sessions, delicious traditional food, children’s activities and much more. Entrance is free.
• Wildfires
The City urged residents to assist in preventing wildfires by being extra cautious when handling fire. Residents should avoid throwing cigarette butts on the ground because they are likely to start fires during this dry season. Hot work and unauthorised burning should also be avoided. Residents with thatched roofs should test their sprayers and have their garden hoses ready. Contact the Emergency Control Room on 061 - 211 111 should you see a fire.