Max Henrich ONGWEDIVA – More than 3 000 people are awaiting land allocation in Omuthiya, with the town council now prioritising applicants who are committed to developing their erven as it moves to address a backlog of land applications and idle plots. Omuthiya mayor Wilbard Anyemba said that the council was facing a growing demand... The post 3 000 applicants flood Omuthiya…council targets dormant plots appeared first on New Era .
Max Henrich
ONGWEDIVA – More than 3 000 people are awaiting land allocation in Omuthiya, with the town council now prioritising applicants who are committed to developing their erven as it moves to address a backlog of land applications and idle plots.
Omuthiya mayor Wilbard Anyemba said that the council was facing a growing demand for land while some allocated erven remain undeveloped or underdeveloped.
“The council has over 3 000 pending land applications and has prioritised allocating erven to those committed to building and utilising them, rather than allowing them to remain idle,” Anyemba said.
He said that owners of undeveloped or underdeveloped erven have been directed to begin and complete development without delay.
Anyemba warned that failure to develop allocated land could result in land revocation, saying that the council wants erven to contribute to the economic and physical growth of the town.
He further said that the council’s land allocation approach forms part of broader efforts to promote orderly urban growth as Omuthiya continues to expand.
However, he said that the council’s development ambitions are being affected by financial constraints, including outstanding rates and taxes owed by residents.
“Support from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development for capital development has been limited,” Anyemba said.
He urged residents to settle their outstanding rates and taxes, saying revenue collection is important to ensure uninterrupted service delivery and enable the council to finance development initiatives.
Anyemba said the council has identified several major projects aimed at improving services and living conditions in the town.
These include the planned construction of a water desalination plant to improve water availability, as well as advanced wastewater treatment systems that could allow treated water to be used for town beautification and construction activities.
He maintained that the council also plans to introduce modern waste management technologies to reduce reliance on the existing dumping site and promote more environmentally friendly waste disposal.
Meanwhile, the council has organised local trading markets for vendors as part of efforts to formalise street vending and ensure traders operate in an orderly manner while complying with regulations.
With thousands of applicants waiting for land, the council’s challenge is not only to allocate more erven but also to ensure that land already allocated is developed.
Anyemba said the cooperation from residents, particularly in paying rates and taxes and developing their erven, remains essential to Omuthiya’s development plans.
The post 3 000 applicants flood Omuthiya…council targets dormant plots appeared first on New Era.
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