Double whammy for Walvis Bay residents

WALVIS BAY Councillor Bobby Kandjala highlighted the negative effect the slump in the fishing industry has had on the economy in her budget speech last week, but still announced a string of increases in Municipal tariffs for the next year.

“Walvis Bay is well-known for its significant contributions towards the national economy in as far as the fishing industry is concerned. For quite some time now, we have been witnessing the difficulties experienced in this sector that have affected and still continue to affect the future of enterprises, individuals, families, other entities, Government and the nation at large,” said Kandjala in her position as Chairperson of the Management Committee.She said the loss of jobs, loss of revenue, liquidations and labour unrest in the industry “worried” the Council.Turning to the details of the budget for 2005/2006, she announced a surplus of N$136 126.The total revenue amounts to N$153,3 million and the total expenditure to N$151,2 million.Kandjala said the surplus funds would be used to offset any major financial impacts on ratepayers in future.She mentioned a decision by the Council three years ago not to increase any tariffs on basic commodities.This year, residents are not that fortunate, as the Council has approved 13 tariff adjustments.These include an eight per cent increase on water supply, 10 per cent on sewerage fees, 10 per cent on refuse removal fees and 15 per cent on rates and taxes.Other tariff adjustments are 15 per cent on sport facilities, 10 per cent on waste disposal fees, 10 per cent on health inspectorate fees, between 10 and 15 per cent on building plan fees, between 0 and 20 per cent on cemetery fees, an average of five per cent on library services, 15 per cent for the crèche, between 0 and five per cent on fire brigade fees and between 0 and 10 per cent on hostel fees.Kandjala also announced capital spending of almost N$15,8 million, of which N$8 million is for new projects.The major new projects are the resealing of streets and pavements (N$2.2 million), land development projects (N$2,08 million) and hostel redevelopment (N$2,5 million).For quite some time now, we have been witnessing the difficulties experienced in this sector that have affected and still continue to affect the future of enterprises, individuals, families, other entities, Government and the nation at large,” said Kandjala in her position as Chairperson of the Management Committee.She said the loss of jobs, loss of revenue, liquidations and labour unrest in the industry “worried” the Council.Turning to the details of the budget for 2005/2006, she announced a surplus of N$136 126.The total revenue amounts to N$153,3 million and the total expenditure to N$151,2 million.Kandjala said the surplus funds would be used to offset any major financial impacts on ratepayers in future.She mentioned a decision by the Council three years ago not to increase any tariffs on basic commodities.This year, residents are not that fortunate, as the Council has approved 13 tariff adjustments.These include an eight per cent increase on water supply, 10 per cent on sewerage fees, 10 per cent on refuse removal fees and 15 per cent on rates and taxes.Other tariff adjustments are 15 per cent on sport facilities, 10 per cent on waste disposal fees, 10 per cent on health inspectorate fees, between 10 and 15 per cent on building plan fees, between 0 and 20 per cent on cemetery fees, an average of five per cent on library services, 15 per cent for the crèche, between 0 and five per cent on fire brigade fees and between 0 and 10 per cent on hostel fees.Kandjala also announced capital spending of almost N$15,8 million, of which N$8 million is for new projects.The major new projects are the resealing of streets and pavements (N$2.2 million), land development projects (N$2,08 million) and hostel redevelopment (N$2,5 million).