Rundu Rural Constituency Councillor Paulus Mbangu has denounced the budget allocations to the two Kavango regions this year.
Speaking in the National Council, Mbangu says the two Kavango Regions were identified as 'crisis regions, yet they were provided with few resources.
This Mbangu state hampers the execution of set agendas, particularly to address poverty in the two Kavango Regions.
He also questioned the central government's commitment to addressing poverty when all regions lack sufficient resources.
Despite visits by prominent leaders to the regions, Mbangu notes less has been done to this end.
The Rundu Rural Councillor further expressed dismay with the exclusion of drought relief for both the Kavango west and east regions this year.
"I want to be on record and say that poverty in the two Kavango regions was manufactured by the central government because the two regions were starved of resources for all these years. And budget allocation for this year is a clear indication that it defies logic because there were statistics conducted last year and the PM made her assessment, and it was clear that Kavango East and West were listed as crisis regions, yet you provide these regions with fewer resources."
Mbangu expressed that Namibia lacks a comprehensive strategy to handle resources.
"There is no proper guideline on how our resources can be managed. If the cabinet does not take that decision, they must stop talking about bringing service closer to the people, because you can only bring that service closer to the people once you decentralise all the functions to the regional cause. It's a pity that Omaheke does not know what's happening in the region. And the reference that has been made here is only known by the head office, but the head office should not be like that. So I think things need to change, so submit."
Mbangu made these comments during deliberations on the Omaheke regional council's report, which reflected the challenges faced and transparency.
Swapo MP Abraham Kaushiweni questioned why the Omaheke Region has not utilised funds allocated for basic sanitation, such as building ablution facilities, while there are incidences of incomplete projects.
"Such funds are earmarked to construct toilet units in rural areas. Our country is still like the rest of the country, with large numbers of people still practising open defecation. But the money allocated in the budget, which is supposed to be implemented by the Regional Council itself, was not implemented. Maybe the colleagues are going to explain more about why it's like that and why it's depriving the community in a great area of the toilets it needs."