Mines and Energy Minister Tom Alweendo announced the 12-member Diamond Board of Namibia on Monday.
The Board represents the diamond industry and is selected on recommendation by industry stakeholders. They will serve on the board for three years, with their primary focus on advising the minister.
Ondangwa Town Council has set aside N$2.4 million for the construction of 31 Build Together Houses at the Onatsi-Proper informal settlement.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the project took place at Ondangwa.
The houses, which will be completed in two months, are for low-income earners.
Otjombinde Councillor Wenzel Kavaka is pleased with the progress made in developing the new settlement, Eiseb 10 Growth Point.
Developments include a livestock auction pen and the construction of an oxidation pond.
The Government Institutions Pensions Fund (GIPF) and the Namibian government are to sign an agreement for a pension-backed home loan facility to enable members to buy houses.
The Build Together Housing Programme at Karasburg has been dormant for the past three years due to financial constraints.
The community of Karasburg told the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, during an engagement of their concern about the dormant social housing programme.
Homeowners under the Okakarara Shack Dwellers Federation have been living in unhygienic conditions due to a faulty drainage system.
The town's Chief Executive Officer, Ehrnst Katjiku, says the affected residents will, in the meantime, be provided with a short-term solution.
Residents of Lyashulu Village in the Zambezi Region have expressed disappointment with the alleged continuation of harassment by members of the Anti-Poaching Unit in their area.
The Headman of Shihyera Sub-Khuta, Oscar Munanzi, says the actions of the Unit cannot be tolerated anymore.
Since it became a municipally governed area 12 years ago, Oranjemund continues to make progress in implementing capital projects in the current financial year.
Charles Kakuru, Acting CEO of the Oranjemund Town Council, says the infrastructure development promotes economic growth in the town.
The Karasburg community also raised its concerns with the minister regarding the alleged irregularities at the Town Council.
These include the dormancy of the Council's Built Together Housing Programme, irregular appointments, and water and electricity issues.
The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has warned local authorities against irregular and unprocedural staff appointments.
