Residents of Oshakati can breathe a sigh of relief as there will be no tariff increase for this financial year.
The announcement was made during the tabling of the council's 2023–2024 budget, amounting to N$214 million.
The council says it took note of the current global and local economic situation in the town.
Against this background, the council, he says, decided not to effect any tariff increase on water, sewerage, or refuse removal.
Oshakati Mayor Leonard Hango says the council made minimal adjustments to some services using the principle of cost recovery.
Hango, in his address, also highlighted a number of projects that were completed and others that remain in progress during the current financial year.
"Relocation of Oshoopala informal settlers, phase one, has been successfully completed, with over 49 households successfully relocated. Phase two of the Oshoopala relocation commenced yesterday, May 15, and is anticipated to be completed by June 30, 2023."
One vital project on the council's strategic plan for the next five years is the formalisation of Oshakati's informal settlements.
Thus far, the council has succeeded in formalising Evululuko, now known as Oshakati Extension Ten and Eleven, as well as the Pohamba location, currently known as Extension 13, part of Okandjengedhi South, Ompumbu Proper, and Uupindi South Phase One.
Some of the major projects the council will undertake in the upcoming financial year include the construction of sewer reticulation at Evululuko, at a cost of N$7 million.
N$8 million was allocated towards the upgrade of the Okatana-Omatala road to bitumen standard, and N$3,5 million is expected to be used for the relocation of Oshoopala informal settlement phase three.
"An amount of N$1 million is set to construct and upgrade Okapana Area at the Dr. Frans Aupa Indongo Open Market; a budget provision of N$1.5 million has been made to upgrade the community development centre at Evululuko and Uupindi; the process of formalising Oneshila has already commenced; and the coming financial year will basically focus on the finalisation of Oneshila relocation."
The council set aside N$800,000 for the development of Ekuku Recreational Rark Phase Three and a decent children's playground that will be constructed at Onawa Settlement, at a cost of about N$200,000.
Hango then called on Oshakati inhabitants to keep paying their municipal bills, participate in the council's activities, and share their impressions.