Nearly a third of the budget of Ongwediva for the year 2023/2024 will be financed by funds from the town’s own reserves.
The Town Council of Ongwediva announced an estimated revenue for the year 2023/2024 amounting to N$172,3 million.
Of this total, an amount of N$113,6 million will come from operational revenues, while sale of erven will produce N$3,5 million, refunds from Roads Fund Administration will amount to N$2,5 million, and Government’s subsidy will be N$0,9 million.
And a total of N$51,8 million will come from the Council’s own reserves.
“For the third consecutive year, the tariffs shall not be increased for the financial year 2023/2024,” said the Mayor of Ongwediva Rev. Taarah Shalyefu.
“Council however reserves its right and obligation to increase the water tariff should NamWater announce an increase in bulk water purchases to avoid a scenario where Council will be distributing water to its consumers at a loss which may be detrimental to the sustainable development of the town.”
Shalyefu also stated that the Council will “efficiently and effectively implement its projected plans, operational expenditure and developmental projects yet taking into account the protracted reality of the outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic that has negatively impacted Council’s socio-economic operations, in general, and the budget of 2023/2024 in particular.
“Our critical success factor therefore hinges and heavily relies on the commitment and dedication of our valued customers to pay diligently for services rendered.”
Shalyefu said that the town’s five-year Strategic Plan, annual work plans, National Development Plans, ministerial directives “and, most importantly, input from all our critics and stakeholders through the media, public meetings that the Office of the Mayor conducted between 2022 and 2023, as well as other means, has been used extensively as a yardstick during the preparation of this budget.
“Therefore, your considered understanding and cooperation is indispensable if our projects, as provided for in this budget, are to be successfully implemented.”
Shalyefu also acknowledged the generous financial and technical support the town continues to receive from the Central Government through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
“Allow me to unequivocally affirm that the Council shall continue maintaining its remarkable position of paying its key service providers on time including but not limited to Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater), Northern Electricity Distribution (NORED), appointed contractors and third-party creditors.”
The town’s budget was announced early last week.
In the photo: Ongwediva Mayor Rev. Taarah Shalyefu.
