Staff Reporter
THE Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, has urged councillors of the Omuthiya local authority in the Oshikoto Region to collaborate as a team for the benefit of the town’s residents. He also advised them to amicably resolve any differences that may arise.
Uutoni wrote a letter to Omuthiya Mayor Johannes Ndeutepo, overturning the indefinite suspension and rejecting the council’s recommendation to permanently remove IPC councillor Petrina Nghipudilo Ya Shiindi from the council.
Ya Shiindi faced multiple suspensions since 2022, with the latest suspension being declared indefinite pending her permanent removal. However, Minister Uutoni, after reviewing the minutes of council meetings and the recommendation for her removal, expressed dissatisfaction.
“Based on the information and facts before me, I am not convinced that there are sufficient grounds to justify the removal of Councillor Petrina Nghipudilo ya Shiindi from office as recommended and requested by the council. I am hereby informing you that the request is not approved,” said Uutoni.
He directed the council to lift the indefinite suspension immediately and reimburse all allowances withheld from Ya Shiindi since her suspension in July last year. Another IPC councillor, Moses Amukoto, was also suspended in July, but his suspension lasted only 30 days.
Out of the seven Omuthiya councillors, four represent the Swapo Party, while the remaining three represent the IPC.
The minister concluded, “I implore all the Council members to work together as a team and in the best interest of the inhabitants of the town and to strive to resolve any differences that may occur amicably.”
Leave a Reply