Taarah Shalyefu has been re-elected as Ongwediva mayor and will lead the council for the next 12 months.

His fellow Swapo councillor, Ulalia Katonyala, retained her position as deputy mayor of the town, while Naemi Amuthenu (Swapo), Jona Helao (IPC) and Fabiam George (Swapo) remain members of the management committee.

Meanwhile, Mathews Tiyaho and Ottillie Haitota, both from IPC, are ordinary members of the seven-member Ongwediva Town Council office bearers.

George was also re-elected as chairperson of the management committee.

In his acceptance speech, Shalyefu reaffirmed his commitment to continue advocating for hard work, innovation and improved corporate governance, particularly accountability, integrity and transparency as they render services to the people.

‘We have a number of important issues that require our collective inputs and decisions. Looking at concerns, complaints and outstanding issues related to land distribution in the town is evident that we should think fast and find solutions to t
hese problems,’ he said.

Shalyefu indicated that their role in ensuring that they guide and advocate for development from Government has never been more important than it is right now.

According to Shalyefu, although this assignment is somewhat challenging, with the support of fellow councillors, they will make a significant difference in the leadership arena.

He stated that as councillors they should always be mindful that the electorate expects quality service delivery and support from them, and they consistently expect them to listen to them when they approach them, therefore they should deliver to the best of their abilities.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The Coast Parliamentary Group (CPG) has expressed their reservations about the planned concessioning of Mombasa Port assets and privatisation by the Government.

The process is said to be a strategic move by Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) to attract private sector investment, encourage technological advancements and improve overall service delivery.

KPA recently conducted a pre-bid conference that marked the beginning of the comprehensive bidding process which is set to provide interested and qualified investors with an opportunity to submit their proposals.

The bids will then be evaluated based on technical expertise, financial capability and sustainability plans. The successful bidders will then enter into concession agreements with KPA, outlining their responsibilities, obligations and the expected outcomes.

Speaking to the media, the Chairman of the Coast Parliamentary Group Committee, Danson Mwashako said that they had an engagement with KPA’s top leadership to understand why they moved forward without
the involvement of the leadership of the region.

Mwashako said that the matter has divided the stakeholders of the facility and that it was important for them to gather the facts and impacts of the process.

‘The members were taken through a PowerPoint presentation detailing exactly what KPA wants to do, however, the presentation incited reactions from the members and they aired their concerns,’ Mwashako said.

‘Our number one concern is our people, will that proposal guarantee that no individual worker will lose their job, will the people of the Coast region continue being part and parcel of this great resource?’ he added.

He emphasized issues around the business case as he noted that KPA has been a very profitable parastatal, wondering why the need to privatize it.

Mwashako said that their concerns were addressed but they still feel that there is more research and engagement they ought to do before coming up with a decision

He said that the Committee needs to be involved closely on this matter because d
ecisions of that magnitude ought not be made without the involvement of the elected representatives of the people.

‘They have given us their action plan and when they intend to finish the process which will be in June next year,’ he said.

Mwashako stressed that they are going to hold more engagements among the CPG members, and if need be, they shall delay the process to invite every stakeholder on board and collect their opinions on the matter.

He added that they will also consult experts on the issue to gain more insight on the same because most members are against it as of now.

‘We are retreating and we shall declare where we stand about this matter at the right time but the bottom line is we must guarantee our people job security and that the deal must by all means make economic sense for the Coast and the Country as a whole,’ he concluded.

Source: Kenya News Agency