Proclamation Update

[Michael Alexander]

BRIEFING GROUP    :   ALL EMPLOYEES
DATE          :   24 JUNE 2011
BRIEF                        :    UPDATE ON PROCLAMATION UPDATE
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TOWN PROCLAMATION UPDATE    

1   The proclamation of Oranjemund has entered the final stages with the declaration of Oranjemund Proper, Ext 2, Ext 5 and 6 as approved townships in line with the Town Planning Ordinance, 11 of 1963. The Declaration appeared in the Government Gazette dated 15 June 2011.  The declaration of Extensions 1, 3 and 4 are still outstanding.

2   In terms of access to town, nothing has changed. Visitors are still required to be cleared in terms of the Diamond Act and access to the town is still controlled by Namdeb Security.

3   There are two steps outstanding before the access arrangement to the town can be changed.
o   Firstly, the town has to be declared a Local Authority area in terms of the Local Authorities Act (Act 23 of 1992).  We expect this declaration to appear in the Government Gazette by mid July 2011.
o   Secondly, the Electoral Commission of Namibia (ECN) has to conduct Local Authority elections to ensure that a competent authority takes over the operations and management of the Local Authority area. ECN will determine dates for the registration of voters and political parties who need to register to take part in the by-election. ECN will also determine a date for the elections. We understand that the target date for elections is in November 2011.

4   The Local Authority Council will be instituted within 7 days after the election date. The elected Council will then have the mandate to manage the local authority area.

5   The town will be opened on the directive of the duly elected Local Authority to prevent a chaotic and an uncertain situation where no one knows who is in charge of managing the affairs of the Local Authority area.

6   Land and property can only be sold and bought with the approval of the Local Authority.




ROAD PROCLAMATION:
1   Cabinet has resolved that the current road to Rosh Pinah be proclaimed as a national road.
2   The road will operate 24 hours and no security permit is required to drive on the road.
3   Road users will be restricted to the road reserve, outside the road reserve the provisions of the Diamond Act will apply.
4   The Ministry of Environment and Tourism will control access into and out of the Sperrgebiet National Park.



WHERE CAN I SOURCE MORE INFORMATION?
Should employees have further questions they should please forward their questions to the Communications team (Pauline, Francis or Anne-Nora) and answers will be facilitated accordingly.