Okakarara Mayor Siegfried Tjehiua said the provision of water tops the list of priorities, noting that residents in informal areas have been deprived of basic services for years.

The Director General of the Okakarara Resident Association Fighting for Development, Siegfried Tjehiua, has now taken office as the new mayor of Okakarara.

Over the years, Tjehiua, through the Association, has been at the forefront of advocating for development in the town and has led several demonstrations to the council. 

Now, inside the mayoral office, he said he is ready to take the bull by the horns and ensure meaningful development in Okakarara.

"We first want to have our books audited. The auditor will come and audit so that we know what we find there, what is not there, and where we can start. We don't want to take any blame for whoever was there before us; we want the office clean."

One of his key priorities is the provision of potable water to residents of the Okatumba and Okakango locations, where more than 8,000 residents are limited in accessing water.

Some residents have been getting water from a pipe opening outside NamWater's reservoir, while others access water from the town council's main pipe opening.

Tjehiua said residents will be kept well informed on the progress of planned projects.

Other key projects he will tackle are affordable land, electrification of informal areas, rehabilitation of roads, addressing the town's drainage system, improving waste management and general cleanliness, and creating investment opportunities in the town.

Where necessary, some residents will be relocated to pave the way for service delivery, establish recreational facilities, and implement the town by-laws to address certain concerns and prevent future problems.

Although his office is yet to fully assess its financial position, Tjehiua said he is ready to move the town to better ground.