Zambezi Regional Council launches third strategic plan

KATIMA MULILO, 21 OCT – The Zambezi Regional Council launched its third strategic plan at Katima Mulilo on Friday.
The plan for 2017 to 2022 was crafted by the heads of departments of various ministries, led by Zambezi Chief Regional Officer Regina Ndopu-Lubinda.
It is the first of its kind to be compiled without the assistance of a consultant and includes 17 objectives in land reform, education and works.
“Regional councils and local authorities have a collective responsibility to initiate and implement policies and programmes that promote the welfare and living standards of local communities,” Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Peya Mushelenga said while launching the strategic plan.
Mushelenga reminded the political office bearers of both regional and local authorities to bear in mind that it is the communities that elected them, hence there is a need to ensure that they are given the best service.
While acknowledging their efforts, he also reminded them that more is expected from them in uplifting the rural poor from poverty and availing land not only for development, but also for residential purposes.
He further said he wants the Zambezi Regional Council to form links and collaborations with other stakeholders such as the local authorities, village councils and traditional authorities in pursuing the realisation of Vision 2030 and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
Mushelenga directed the regional and local authorities in the region to submit periodical reports that capture their achievements to ensure that no Namibian is left behind in efforts to realise an industrialised Namibia.
He called on the authorities to pay special attention to land delivery.
“Many Namibians, including those in the Zambezi Region and Katima Mulilo do not have adequate access to land for housing, which has resulted in poverty and squatting,” he said.
Mushelenga also reminded the authorities of their roles in availing both serviced and un-serviced land to the National Housing Enterprise so they can deliver on their mandate of providing affordable housing to both low and middle-income earners.
He especially called on the Katima Mulilo Town Council and Bukalo Village Council to ensure that they avail land to NHE.
(NAMPA)