Windhoek West Constituency Councillor Emma Muteka has been elected President of the Association of Regional Councils (ARC).
Muteka pledged to transform the organisation through unified and collective leadership.
Muteka, who is deputised by Okorukambe Constituency Councillor Rocco Nguvauva, vowed to shift the association toward financial sustainability, moving from mere resolutions to concrete implementation, to build a stronger Namibia.
"Our priorities are going to be determined by each and every one of us. It is not going to be a one-man show. However, these priorities must not remain promises or resolutions that we make in our meetings. They must translate into action, measurable progress, and tangible results. I envision an ARC that moves beyond representation to influence, beyond resolutions to implementation, and beyond dependency to financial sustainability."
While congratulating ARC for hosting a successful congress, Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa called for the streamlining of local government associations and emphasised the crucial role of constituency leaders.
Sankwasa advocated for merging multiple splinter organisations specifically ALAN, NALAO, and the Mayors Forum, into a unified umbrella.
"As we proceed, I would like to request that the President and the Vice President engage with the local authorities, as I mentioned yesterday, since these authorities fall within the region. This will ensure that, when you discuss the Act, you also incorporate the challenges faced by your respective local authorities as part of your submissions. Let us avoid having too many fragmented forums and separate engagements. This is merely a request, not an instruction. However, I believe that a coordinated approach would strengthen our efforts to address these challenges. It would also enable us to pool resources more effectively, rather than having them scattered across different organisations."
The 9th congress was held in Rundu and brought together regional councillors from all 14 regions to engage, exchange ideas and reflect on the role of regional councils in advancing national development.