WINDHOEK — Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has voiced his growing impatience with certain local authority councilors who are prioritizing internal conflicts over service delivery to their communities.

According to Namibia Press Agency, who spoke at the infrastructure services handover for the financial year 2023/24, despite providing training on good governance and leadership to councilors from various municipalities including Gobabis and Walvis Bay, many have not applied these principles effectively. “Some of the councilors have now forgotten their induction and are seen protesting with the public demanding better service, instead of addressing the matters in their local authorities to serve the people who elect them,” Uutoni stated during the event on Wednesday.

The minister criticized these councilors for their failure to implement their training for the betterment of their constituents, highlighting their involvement in protests rather than resolving issues internally. Uutoni expressed concern over how such behaviors could contribute to solving the broader challenges faced by their communities.

In contrast, Uutoni praised the Outapi Town Council for its effective service delivery and the positive outcomes that have resulted from cooperative governance within the council. Meanwhile, Omusati Region Governor Erginus Endjala noted that their region has seen progressive development and efficient service delivery, attributing this success to the absence of internal conflicts among councilors, despite the diversity of political leadership.