Regional councils urged to lead local oversight

Lylie Joel

RUNDU — Regional councils must play a stronger role in supporting and overseeing local authorities to strengthen governance and service delivery, Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa said at the opening of the 9th Congress of the Association of Regional Councils (ARC) in Rundu.

The gathering in Kavango East brings together elected leaders from all 14 regions to discuss regional governance, development and the future of local authorities.

Held under the theme ‘Shaping Tomorrow, Together’, the congress is intended to provide space for leaders to exchange ideas and consider how councils can advance national development.

Sankwasa called on delegates to examine why powers and duties are not being transferred effectively from central government to regional councils.

He said delegation should follow an assessment of whether councils are ready to perform the responsibilities properly, including functions set out in section 28 of the Regional Councils Act.

He described the current relationship between regional councils and local authorities as inverted, saying local authorities often contact the minister directly.

“The first stop point of local authorities in the management of a local authority is the regional council, not the minister,” he said. “But right now, the pyramid is upside down.”

Sankwasa said local authorities call him about issues in towns such as Katima Mulilo and Ruacana, while regional councils may remain unaware.

He said the law assigns regional councils a duty to assist local authorities and empowers them to recommend action to the minister where performance is good or poor.

He praised the Karas Regional Council for submitting a recommendation but challenged other regions to scrutinise how they carry out their statutory responsibilities.

“Are we executing these duties? Are we doing it properly?” he asked.

He urged regional councillors to recognise that local authorities operate within regions and constituencies, and to use the powers assigned by law rather than leave local problems solely to the ministry.

“It’s not your choice,” he said, arguing that support and oversight are legal obligations.

The minister also pointed to overlapping mandates, weak financial management and procurement systems he described as “deliberately twisted.” He called for regular communication among central government, the Association of Local Authorities and regional councils, and urged delegates to consider how to strengthen the status and capacity of regional councils.

The congress is expected to elect a new ARC president tomorrow.

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