Okahandja urged to upgrade infrastructure
Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, has called on the Okahandja Municipality to urgently improve infrastructure and municipal service delivery, warning that the town risks losing its development momentum if it fails to keep pace with growing demands. Speaking during the official opening of the Okahandja Tourism Expo on Friday, !Nawases-Taeyele stressed that while Okahandja remains full of potential, other towns are rapidly advancing through better infrastructure, population growth management and expanded economic opportunities.
She noted that Okahandja can not afford to become complacent, saying the town must strengthen its infrastructure base and create an environment that supports both business growth and community wellbeing.
“There are others that are coming up strongly. Population sizes are growing, infrastructure is improving and opportunities are being created for people,” she said. She further urged the municipality to prioritise sustainable development through deliberate action, strategic investments and stronger leadership.
She highlighted public-private partnerships as a practical mechanism to accelerate infrastructure development, describing such collaborations as one of the most effective ways for local authorities to stimulate meaningful economic growth. According to !Nawases-Taeyele, timely payment for municipal services by residents also remains critical, as it enables the council to reinvest revenue into service delivery and infrastructure upgrades, particularly in informal settlements and vulnerable communities that require greater support. She further called on the municipality to maintain roads and other public infrastructure to protect the town’s long-term assets and avoid deterioration that could undermine future development.
In a direct message to council leadership, !Nawases-Taeyele said local authorities must remain engaged with communities and responsive to their needs. “We do not want to see demonstrations anymore. Communities rise when councils fail to meet the needs of their inhabitants,” she cautioned. She challenged the municipality to improve delivery and ensure that development is visible at community level. Her remarks come amid ongoing concerns from residents over service delivery challenges, infrastructure maintenance and dissatisfaction with municipal performance in the town.
!Nawases-Taeyele encourage stronger cooperation between council leadership, residents and stakeholders to ensure Okahandja realises its growth ambitions.
