Gibeon Village Council building inaugurated after eight years

After eight years of serving as the workspace for councillors and administrative staff, the Gibeon Village Council’s office building was officially inaugurated on Friday by the deputy minister of urban and rural development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele. In her keynote speech at the event, !Nawases-Taeyele stated that the office building, constructed at a cost of N$15 million, shows the government remains committed to supporting local authorities in fulfilling their development mandate. “By investing in public infrastructure such as this office building and many others we are not only creating spaces where governance and administration takes place, but we are also laying the foundation for accountability, transparency and efficiency in the management of community affairs,” she said. “I encourage all local authorities across the region not to waver but to continue to be guided by our national policies and development frameworks,” said !Nawases-Taeyele. She commended the involvement of local contractors, suppliers and service providers in the project’s preparation and execution, saying it aligns with the government’s vision of promoting local economic empowerment. “When we empower our own, when we build sustainable communities, and when we promote local participation, we stimulate the local economy and create jobs right here in Gibeon,” she stated. The deputy minister urged councils to practise sound financial management, strengthen revenue collection and deliver services that meet the rising expectations of communities. Partners according to the Gibeon Village Council who sponsored the project are Netvend, the Roads Authority and RFLAUN, a retirement fund for local authorities and utility services in Namibia. – Nampa