Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa engaged with local authority leadership at Gobabis, addressing a number of pertinent matters brought to his attention by the region's residents. These include matters related to salary increments, suspended managers, alleged unfair labour practices, and allocation of Farm Nuwehoop to the Office of the Governor.

After lengthy discussions with the local authority leadership, Sankwasa reported progress on numerous matters.

Sankwasa reported that the council members remain dissatisfied with a four percent salary increment signed off by the Chief Executive Officer, maintaining that this was done without proper authorisation or negotiation.

Sankwasa announced the lifting of suspensions against a number of strategic managers at the municipality, citing delays in developmental progress in the town and lack of specification surrounding the said suspensions.

On the matter of exorbitant overtime claims allegedly paid to some staff members, the minister stated that the law was clear that a person's overtime claims may not amount to more than their salary.

He said the office of the Chief Executive Officer had agreed to address this as a matter of urgency.

The minister expressed support for the allocation of Farm Nuwehoop to the municipality for hosting of different development projects.

Sankwasa said it was vital that these projects continue, given their significance in curbing malnutrition in the region.

He stressed that the right procedures must be followed, though, in terms of land allocation, to ensure all parties involved are in agreement.

He pleaded for the community to bear with him as he leads investigations into other concerns, including alleged unlawful contracts signed with energy company Alensy, which he said disregard and constitute a violation of powers by certain councillors.