By: Hertha Ekandjo
The Oshikoto Regional Council on Wednesday, during its second ordinary meeting, has resolved to utilise 60% of its income from 5% rates and taxes from local authorities, surcharges from sales of electricity and and value-added tax refunds on small-scale projects in the region.
According to the Council’s Chief Regional Officer, Christella Mwenyo, the resolution is part of the Council’s efforts to accelerate the provision of government services to the inhabitants of the Oshikoto region, which forms part of the Council’s mandate.
“Three local authorities, namely Oniipa, Omuthiya and Tsumeb pay the Regional Council an amount equal of 5% rates and taxes per year, while the portion of the money comes from surcharges on the sales of electricity by NORED and CENORED, other revenues comes from the Namibia Revenue Agency (NAMRA), through VAT refunds from both capital and operational activities of the Council,” Mwenyo explained.
The money will be utilised on the small-scale projects, such as the excavation of short water pipelines to mitigate the challenges of access to potable water in the region.
She added that the money will also be used on rural income generating activities, to enhance rural economic growth and on other small-scale community projects, as identified at the constituency and settlement levels.
“The Regional Council is estimating an income of approximately N$4.3 million,” she noted.
Among the resolutions taken by the Council during the meeting was the approval of the Okankolo Construction CC land development layout plan, to establish a township extension within the Onayena settlement.
The Regional Council said the extension will consist of 275 erven, of which 240 are for residential, two for business, two institutional and recreational and 13 for public space. The Council also approved the excavation of Amateta-Onakalunga short water pipeline in Omuthiya constituency, which will be excavated under the Council`s small-scale projects.
