The Ongwediva Town Council unveiled a budget of N$192,4 million for the 2024/2025 financial year on Tuesday.
The budget will be used for various developmental projects, such as land delivery, provision of services, infrastructure upgrading and repair, upgrading of buildings and the acquisition of machineryas well as tools and information and communication technology equipment, among others.
Presenting the council budget, Ongwediva mayor Taarah Shalyefu said the total estimated revenue will be financed by operational revenue of N$114,9 million, erven sales of N$3 million and refunds from the Road Fund Administration of N$3,1 million. This is in addition to government subsidies of N$4 million, the council’s own reserves of N$64,4 million, a contribution from the social housing fund of N$0,9 million and a contribution from Build Together of N$2,1 million.
“It is on record that several township extensions and settlement areas at Ongwediva lacked basic services infrastructure as a direct result of formalisation of existing settlement areas and the rapid expansion of the town. We have, however, over the immediate past five years made significant progress with the provision of services infrastructure,” Shalyefu said.
LAND DELIVERY
Shalyefu added that council land delivery remains the priority for council, in line with the national development agenda, however, planning and township establishment is a prerequisite for land delivery, which in turn is a prerequisite for housing and infrastructure development.
He said the council will re-plan Extension 13 and the Elyambala Area, as well as a block of erven in Extension 2, also known as New Reception Area Phase 3.
The council further plans to rectify the erf boundaries and create a revised cadastral map of the area.
“To cater for all these projects, a total amount of N$739 130 has been provided for in the budget for the financial year 2024/25. In addition, N$5 million has been budgeted for crop field compensation,” he said.
PROVISION OF SERVICES
Shalyefu revealed that a combined total amount of N$42,4 million has been set aside in the budget for the provision of services, infrastructure and public amenities.
The provision of water and sewer reticulation infrastructure is planned at Extension 12 for N$4,3 million and the refurbishment of the water tower within the council’s premises for N$4,3 million.
Another provision of bulk water storage and supply infrastructure is earmarked for the Omatando extensions for N$6,5 million, with the upgrading of Abraham Nyambali Street from a gravel road to bitumen standard for N$10 million.
Shalyefu said the council will also construct storm water channels at Extension 11 Phase 4 for N$2,6 million.
He further said N$4,3 million is earmarked for the development of a multi-purpose sports field (Phase 4), while N$34 783 is budgeted for the construction of fixed steel or concrete benches and tables for a new recreational park at Extension 11.
According to Shalyefu, the construction of a leisure park at Extension 11 Phase 2 will cost N$2,2 million. Another project is the installation of CCTV cameras at the town for N$260 870 and the installation of high mast lights at the Onawa and Okandjengedi settlement areas for N$521 739.
“In the same vein, the existing Ongwediva Open Market shall be extended and upgraded at a cost of N$3,5 million to enhance the image of the facility and to cater for additional trading spaces. Council is also faced with limited office space to accommodate existing and new staff members. To address this challenge, N$2,2 million has been made available in the budget for 2024/25,” Shalyefu said.
“Council intends to increase the number of CCTV cameras at the town to ensure continued safety of all stakeholders and property. An amount of N$43 478 has been set aside to cater for this endeavour.”
The mayor said a new bulldozer to ease the levelling situation at the dump site will cost the council N$4,3 million.
“All capital projects that I have highlighted constitute a significant portion of the budget amounting to N$57,4 million, representing about 30% of the total budget. Furthermore, it should be noted that the budget for capital projects increased by 37% from the financial year 2023/24,” he said.
Meanwhile, Oshikuku Town Council mayor Julia Endjambi tabled a N$40,3 million council budget for the 2024/2025 financial year on Friday.
Endjambi said out of the total budget, N$14 million is earmarked for capital projects.
“Council is committed to the development of this town. Therefore, we continue serving our community with dedication and commitment to ensure that all budgeted and ongoing projects are executed, as well as to attract investors to our town,” Endjambi said.
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