The Association of Local Authorities in Namibia (ALAN) president, Samuel !Oe-Amseb, says there is a need for local authorities to benefit from the growing oil and gas industries.

In an interview, !Oe-Amseb advocated for the inclusion of both policy and direct participation on land under the jurisdiction of the local authorities.

ALAN and the Namibia Association of Local Authority Officials want active participation to have a direct and positive impact on sustainable economic development, infrastructure growth, and the well-being of the residents they serve.

"As the government of proximity to the people, local authorities have a crucial role in ensuring that the benefits of the oil and gas industry are not just felt at the national level but also at the grassroots level, and this is our concern that we people that are responsible, local authorities are responsible to make sure that there is development, both happening in urban and also in the rural areas. Now these natural resources must enable local authorities in terms of resources, in terms of finances and also in terms of making sure that local authorities are empowered through these resources meaningfully so that we, at the end of the day, deliver needed services to the people, and that is why we are concerned as the two associations."

This !Oe-Amseb said will benefit both associations to jointly address the fight against underdevelopment, poverty, unemployment and lack of housing and serviced land.

He further called on the National Assembly to review funding formulas for capital projects for local authorities.

"As ALAN, what we are saying is capital project money must be channelled directly to the local authority, and the chief executive officers, whom we believe are suitably qualified, must be held accountable. We really appeal to the central government to look at this particular factor. The other one is if the money is not going to be centred in the local authority, regional councils can also be capacitated to have planners, qualified planners, surveyors and engineers so that the specific local authority in a specific region should be able to source those services from the regional council. That will also minimise the loss of money that we currently lose to our consultants because the disadvantage is a lot of the local authorities are outside, and as a result, because of distance, so capital money that is channelled by the government is not meaningfully really making a difference in the localities."

!Oe-Amseb added that medical aid, pensions and accident covers, including special leave for council work, must be reviewed, adding that mayoral vehicles with VIP status, as well as local authority councillors who are without such benefits,.

He also urged residents to settle outstanding rates and taxes, saying failure to do so impacts service delivery.