The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development has granted approval for increases in the monthly allowances of councillors of Part II municipalities, towns and village councils for the financial years 2023/2024.
In a circular to all Part II municipalities and village councils issued by the ministry’s executive director, Nghidinua Daniel, on 25 July, and seen by The Namibian, the approved increments range from 15%, 20%, and 25% increases in their monthly allowances.
In addition to the increase, additional allowances for other councillors, including airtime allowances and sitting allowances, have also been introduced.
Sitting allowances of N$350 per sitting across the board for municipal and town councils and N$200 per sitting across the board for village councils will apply.
Daniel said the sitting allowances are subject to certain conditions.
“The sitting allowance will be applicable for management committeemeeting ordinary/extra-ordinary meetings, limited to one meeting per category per month in accordance with the adopted annual meeting schedule, and special council meetings limited to two meetings per month.”
The circular also specifies that the cellphone amount remains at N$4 000 and is applicable only to the mayor, deputy mayor, chairperson of the management committee and chairpersons of village councils.
The cellphone allowances remain unchanged, ranging from N$1 000 for the mayor and N$300 for ordinary councillors in municipalities and town councils.
Village council councillors will continue to receive N$700 for the chairperson of the council, and N$300 for ordinary council members. Other councillors will receive airtime allowances only.
Daniel directed the local authorities to make provisions in their budgets for the 2023/2024 financial year to accommodate these adjustments.
The increase does not apply to councillors at the Windhoek, Swakopmund, and Walvis Bay municipalities which are Part I municipalities, as they have their own rates.
They propose their individual increases, which requires ministerial approval before implementation.
