N$360m for councillors' allowances

LOCAL authority councillors will collectively receive about N$360 million in cellphone and other allowances after the recent approval of a 20% increase by the urban and rural development ministry.

Urban development ministry permanent secretary Nghidinua Daniel last week confirmed that the increase, which came into effect this month, was approved in April. This is an increase of N$72 million from the N$288 million they received last year. He said the allowances were the responsibility of each local authority, but were subject to ministerial approval in terms of the Local Authorities Act.