By Tauno Iileka

The Omaheke Regional Council has, during the 2022/23 financial year, received a budget allocation of N$15,939,400 for various development projects in the region.

The projects include the construction of Corridor 13 and Aminuis settlement offices at N$5 million and N$3 million respectively. Corridor 13 settlement office is expected to be completed by the end of this year, with possible savings to be re-allocated to other projects. The allocation for Aminuis settlement office will be used for retention payment, also with possible savings to be re-allocated to other projects as the office has already been completed.

All re-allocations are subject to approval by the National Planning Commission, in terms of the State Finance Act, No. 31 of 1991.

An amount of N$6,903,000 has been set aside for the construction of service infrastructure in all settlements, which include water reticulation in Aminuis, Corridor 13, Eiseb 10, Tsjaka and Drimiopsis. A new borehole will be drilled in Summerdown, while an existing one in Eiseb 10 will be installed and another one in Tsjaka will be cleaned.

The allocation for Tallismanus will be used to complete the ongoing construction of a dumping site while the construction of a water tower and sewer system in Eiseb 10 will also be completed.

In Omitara, the oxidation pond will be upgraded while the allocation for Buitepos will be used to complete the ongoing construction of 72 toilets and install prepaid water meters.

The Road Fund Administration has allocated N$1,036,400 to the Regional Council which will be used to maintain street roads in Epukiro Pos 3. This will address the extensive road erosions in the settlement.

A further N$1,346,000 has been allocated for the provision of basic sanitation facilities for rural communities in the region.

The Regional Council is also busy implementing capital projects for Witvlei Village Council, due to limited capacity in the Village Council. An amount of N$946,000 has been allocated for the completion of a sewer treatment plant and a sewer reticulation system.

In terms of rural development, the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has allocated N$269,230.77 for the implementation of various projects in the region. Projects will be funded through Micro-finance, Food/Cash-for-Work or Regional Specific Action Plan initiatives which are aimed at improving the livelihoods of rural communities through income-generation and ensuring food security.

Operational Budget

The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has, further authorized an amount of N$55,432,396 for the Regional Council’s operational expenditure for the 2022/23 financial year, including remuneration for Regional Councillors and staff members, subsistence and travelling allowance, transport, utilities and maintenance of service infrastructure in the settlement areas.

The Ministry will subsidise the Regional Council’s operational budget with an N$45,633,000. The rest of the income, amounting to N$13,975,123 will be sourced from the Council’s own revenue, mainly through the provision of municipal services in the settlement areas, such as water provision, sewerage management, refuse removal and electricity surcharges.