Water shortage in Okahandja's settlements becomes critical
Residents of certain informal settlements at Okahandja have been without water for the past two to three weeks, causing considerable distress and hardship in the community.The ongoing water shortage in these areas forces residents to walk long distances to a communal tap near the Samaritan Network where they have to wait up to seven hours in long queues for water. The informal settlements include Saamstaan, Vergenoeg, Promise Land and Ekunde.
A resident of Saamstaan, who prefers to remain anonymous, aired his frustrations about the situation and described it as "totally unacceptable".
Another resident expressed his dissatisfaction and questioned the efforts of the authorities.
"I don't know what they do. Do they work or not? Or do they just drive around?”
The lack of water from communal taps has aggravated the daily struggle of the residents as many residents rely on the sources for their basic needs. The situation reflects the larger issue of water scarcity in Namibia, which poses an ongoing challenge for many communities.
The chief executive of the Okahandja municipality, Alphons Tjitombo, promised that the matter would be addressed as soon as possible.
A pipe burst and the informal settlements were most affected due to the use of preliminary batteries that do not last. However, an order was placed before the incident, but the local supplier, Aqua Services, was out of stock - hence the delay.
"We will attend to the matter tomorrow because we have received water supply batteries that are sufficient to help residents of the various informal settlements," explained Tjimboto.
Local authorities have not yet provided residents with a clear long-term solution to the water crisis, leaving residents increasingly frustrated and desperate.
As the drought continues, the affected communities are calling for urgent intervention to restore their access to this essential resource.
The prolonged water shortage not only hinders residents' daily lives, but also poses serious health risks which further emphasises the need for a sustainable and reliable solution for water supply to Okahandja's informal settlements. - [email protected]