The City of Windhoek has launched a comprehensive system audit aimed at streamlining operations amid rapid urban growth.
Councillor Job Amupanda highlighted the necessity of integrating disparate systems currently in use across various municipal departments.
With over 128 systems in operation, including separate platforms for finance and City Police, the inefficiencies caused by their lack of integration have become apparent.
“Increasingly, these systems no longer meet the needs of our growing City. Our goal is to ensure seamless communication between departments, enabling real-time data access and enhanced decision-making capabilities,” he said.
The audit, already underway, seeks to unify these systems to facilitate quicker and more accurate information retrieval.
“This initiative aims to support the City’s transition from systems designed for a population of 100,000 to those suitable for its current 500,000 residents,” he said.
This comes as City Chief Executive Officer Moses Matyayi said there is a high influx to Windhoek due to perceived employment opportunities in the capital city.
Most of the migrants resettle in informal settlements. In 2011, the informal settlement of Windhoek had 87,000 inhabitants.
“At an annual growth rate of 7.3% per annum, it is estimated that the number of people living in the informal settlements of Windhoek reached 131,000 inhabitants in 2018,” he said.
He, however, noted that the growth of informal settlements is so rapid that it exceeds the City of Windhoek’s ability to respond timeously.
“Failure to meet the people’s basic needs will lead to disregard for law and order, a sharp rise in crime and civil unrest,” he said.
