The Erongo Regional Council has received N$1.2 million from the central government to support development in rural areas.

Its Chairperson, Benitha Imbamba, says this is an addition to another N$1.2 million the Council budgeted for the current financial year.

Imbamba revealed that about N$961,000 is budgeted for the rural sanitation programme from the council's own funds.

She says the council is busy constructing dry pit latrines to improve sanitation in rural areas.

Imbamba added that the council received help from the private sector to build 51 dry pit latrines in Tatamutsi Informal Settlement at Uis last year.

Another programme the council will focus on in rural areas is the cash or food for work project, which is aimed at providing short-term jobs for the community while developing infrastructure.

Tabling council budgets Imbamba says about N$300,000 has yet to be received this year to fund eight infrastructure development projects in rural areas.