The City of Windhoek (CoW) is expected to commence with the registration process of all structures in the informal settlements to formalise them. This is part of its Development and Upgrading of Informal Settlements Programme. Mayor Fransina Kahungu made the announcement on Tuesday in Windhoek when she engaged residents from the area to give an update of the City’s plans to develop informal settlements. She said the registration will include all structures in areas within the borders of the city and areas that are declared by the council as “reception areas”. A formal acknowledgement letter of occupation to be signed by the head of the household or owner of the structure will be issued as well as a certificate and lease agreement. “This will make things easy for the city officials to determine how many structures are in the informal settlements and plan properly to formalise them,” said Kahungu. She added that those in areas deemed to be unsuitable for occupation like riverbeds, steep slopes, road reserves and land set aside for other purposes in line with the town planning scheme, among others, will be given notice to vacate these areas. “This is a guide for management formalisation and upgrading of informal settlements in Windhoek and this is in response to our mission of enhancing the quality of life for all our people by rendering efficient and effective municipal services,” she explained. Kahungu added that all these plans are in line with the theme of the Mayoral Action Plan for 2020 which goes by the motto of taking deliberate but cautious action for the balanced development agenda of Windhoek. She further added that the city has begun a training session on 9 March 2020 for about 320 residents from various constituencies to be tasked with preparatory work, community engagement, socio-economic survey and issuance of certificates as well as notices, once the training ends in June. -NAMPA