Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni has reiterated the need for communities and their traditional leaders to use the correct traditional titles when referring to traditional leaders.

According to the minister, the increased usage of the terms “king” and “queen” in reference to traditional leaders is constitutionally and legally incorrect, according to Section 11 of the Traditional Authorities Act, 2000 (Act 25 of 2000).

Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila commended the efforts of regional and local authorities that are promoting local development and economic growth within their jurisdiction.

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila made the remarks when she officially opened the 3rd Tsandi Annual Trade Fair and Expo.

The expo, which was halted for three years due to COVID-19, attracted 80 local exhibitors to showcase their products and services.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has threatened the Karasburg Town Council with suspension if it does not reverse irregularities related to non-compliance with applicable laws and prescribed administrative processes.

In a letter to the council last week, Uutoni directed them to take corrective measures for the irregularities he highlighted.

Urban and Rural Development Minister Erastus Uutoni believes the government should also be commended when it does good and not just be permanently criticised.

Uutoni says it is unfair to accuse the government of not doing anything to develop Namibia since independence.

Making the remarks at the inauguration of a N$1,8-million government office at Wlotzkasbaken settlement, Uutoni believes the government is doing great work in some areas.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has called on the Erongo Regional Council to ensure that young people can afford plots at the Wlotzkasbaken settlement.

There are a little over 100 houses in the coastal settlement of Wlotzkasbaken, a place where boundary fences or walls are not encouraged.

Located between Swakopmund and Henties Bay, the Erongo Regional Council has been busy dividing the land into plots to accommodate more people.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has inaugurated a N$1,8 million settlement office funded by the Erongo Regional Council at the coastal settlement of Wlotzkasbaken.

Wlotzkasbaken is a settlement about 30 kilometres north of Swakopmund.

It is a holiday settlement predominantly occupied by white people since colonial times, when the land was leased to holiday makers, who used it as an angling spot.

Over 100 plots were surveyed and laid out in the late 1960s, but development here has been slow.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), Erastus Uutoni, has responded to concerns regarding the delay in the presentation of the Rent Control Bill.

Uutoni was responding to Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) MP Maximalliant Katjimune, who sought answers as to why this piece of legislation had not yet been tabled in Parliament.

Uutoni stated that the ministry is diligently scrutinising the draft bill and assured the house that there was no reason for further delays.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, says the growth of local businesses and their ability to effectively participate in trade at local, continental, and international levels depend on a favourable environment established by governments to foster business development.

Uutoni said this during the commemoration of Africa Day of Decentralisation, Local Governance, and Local Development held in Okahao, located in the Omusati Region.

Political office bearers serving in Part II municipalities, towns, and village councils will receive increases in their monthly allowances, which came into effect on the first of this month.

Councillors in municipalities will receive 10%, while those on town and village councils will receive 15% and 20%, respectively.

Councillors will also receive benefits such as airtime and sitting allowances.

The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, says contractors who delay national projects must be blacklisted because they fail to honour their obligations with the government.

Despite receiving payment from the government, 319 houses under the mass housing programme at Matutura were not completed because of payment disputes between the main contractor and subcontractors.