Kavango West Regional Council chairperson Joseph Sikongo called for the creation of a constituency development fund during a meeting with minister of urban and rural development James Sankwasa at the regional council offices on Thursday.
During an engagement that also included regional council management, Sikongo warned that independent candidates are gaining ground over the ruling party councillors due to their apparent wealth and ability to assist communities during emergencies.
“They are showing that if you are from the ruling party, you are a poor councillor, but if you are an independent, you are rich. Whenever any event strikes, be it death in the family, they run and buy coffee, but from the ruling party councillor, unless it is a payday, you take your salary,” he stated.
Sikongo emphasised that the growing influence of independent candidates pose a serious threat to the ruling party.
“If we are not careful, we will be toppled by the independent candidates, because now people are talking,” he warned.
On regional disparities, Sikongo stressed that the Kavango West, as the youngest region, faces unique challenges in budget allocation, calling for budget adjustments that reflect developmental needs rather than the number of towns in each region.
The chairperson also highlighted infrastructure challenges and stressed the importance of decentralising functions from line ministries to regional councils.
“We are not a bank. If money is given to us, we have to spend,” Sikongo stated, emphasising proper utilisation of allocated funds.
In his response, Sankwasa encouraged councillors to take an active role in monitoring development projects in their constituencies.
“Councillors should be the eyes and the ears of the government in that constituency,” he said, urging them to track budgeted projects and visit construction sites to ensure progress.
Sankwasa further stressed the importance of rural development, saying that without proper development, urbanisation rates would continue to increase as people flee rural areas seeking employment and basic amenities.
– Nampa
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