The Ohangwena Regional Council has approved an operational and development budget of over N$155 million for the 2026/2027 financial year.

A significant portion, N$83.6 million, has been directed to the operational budget, while N$72.2 million is earmarked for the development projects.

From the developmental budget, the largest share, N$43 million, will go towards the construction of the council's new head office.

Other key allocations include N$12.8 million for compensation for those making way for development in settlement areas and N$4.7 million for rural sanitation initiatives.

The Council Chairperson, Lebeus Efraim, urged that government resources be utilised responsibly to improve the livelihoods of all residents.

"The budget we are about to table is more than the financial document; it reflects our priorities, agenda and responsibility to improve the quality of life of the people of the Ohangwena Region."

The meeting also deliberated on the education directorate's operational budget of N$288 million.

The Division of Gender Equality and Child Welfare received N$8.6 million, with a substantial portion allocated to educarer programmes.

The regional governor's remarks emphasised the importance of ensuring that all budgeted funds are put to good use.

"So that when we are going out of here, there is a clear directive from management on what the honourable councillor has stated. That is the clarity we want to see."

Earlier this year, the Ohangwena Regional Council announced that it had received an unqualified audit opinion for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 financial years.

The Council said this achievement reflects its unwavering commitment to sound financial management, transparency, and accountability.