The Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele said nine new townships in Keetmanshopp, Mariental and Koes had been approved. 

She stated that the proclamation of these townships is a critical milestone because it establishes the legal framework needed for redevelopment, land servicing, and housing delivery.

!Nawases-Taeyele responded to a question posed by Armas Amukoto, a Member of Parliament for the Independent Patriots for Change, regarding the provision of housing and the formalisation of informal settlements. She also addressed concerns about the National Housing Enterprise's capabilities.

"It also enables local authorities to plan and manage urban growth more effectively while ensuring that residents have access to essential services and infrastructure within a formalised and regulated environment. For your information, the ministry has launched the National Namibian Informal Settlement Baseline report, in line with Cabinet Directive No. 1, 11.02 through 002. This report constitutes a very critical, evidence-based instrument to inform national policy directives, strategic planning and coordination."

Meanwhile, !Nawases-Taeyele also responded to questions by National Democratic Party (NDP) leader Lukato Lukato about the duties and responsibilities of town councils and municipalities, which he said are operating the same.

She explained that the magnitude of duties and responsibilities differs according to categories or levels of local authorities.

"The determination of remuneration, allowance and benefits of members of local authority councils and councils is determined in terms of section 18, subsection 1 of the Local Authority Act, Act number 23 of 1992. Section 18, subsection 3, A and B of the Local Authorities Act, Act number 23 of 1992, as amended, described that any remuneration, allowance and other benefits so determined may differ according to the different offices held by the members in the local authority councils and the different powers, duties and functions exercised or performed by them.”