Gobabis mayor Melba Tjozongoro says local authorities will be able to flourish if the government is brought closer to the people for everyone to have a piece of the cake.
Tjozongoro said this on Friday while speaking at the African Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance and Local Development event that took place in the Omaheke region.
“We need to bring the government closer to the people. If we do not decentralise resources, local authorities will not be able to fully carry out their jobs. We need land to construct homes for the people, but that needs funds. And the delay in that is a delay in development,” she said.
Tjozongoro also argued that Namibia has been ensuring it empowers its people, but some have gone beyond black empowerment, thereby leaving people behind and marginalised.
She said every Namibian should have a piece of the cake and not just a minority should enjoy the resources of the country.
She said local authorities are also direct employers, but without making land available to develop, local authorities remain in the same place.
“Until we can get resources to remain afloat because we need to create employment this remains just talks but no action,” she said.
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