Walvis Bay launches online reporting tool to strengthen local accountability

(Photo contributed)

The Walvis Bay Municipality has introduced Ovakalimo, a new online platform designed to allow residents to report service-related issues directly to the council.

The platform forms part of the European Union–supported Erongo Good Governance Project, which focuses on improving transparency, accountability, and citizen participation in local government.

Municipal spokesperson Anita Kaihiva said the tool streamlines how residents flag concerns such as vandalism or broken infrastructure.

Kaihiva explained that users can upload a photo, select a category, and submit the report via ovakalimo.org, after which it is routed to the relevant municipal department. She added that residents can also track the status of their reports, whether pending, in progress, or resolved.

According to the municipality, the platform is intended to improve service delivery and provide residents with a central channel to communicate issues affecting their neighbourhoods.