• Government

State turns a blind eye to Okahandja's woes

- 2023-06-23 08:47:00

Okahandja's residents are sick and tired of the lack of development in the town and the management's incompetence.
Organisations representing residents of informal settlements have decided to join forces with other local civil society organisations and insist that the municipality straightens itself out.
Petrus Kampaku of the Okahandja Residents Damage Control Committee says that in April they already compiled a list of possible causes and solutions for Okahandja's many problems and sent them to the town council, the mayor, the chief executive, the minister of urban and rural development and even to President Hage Geingob.
No feedback has been received from any of these authorities so far, he says.
The analysis looks specifically at how much the residents contribute to the state of the town's management. Among other things, the unhealthy relationship and ineffective communication between the town council and residents was looked at. Communication is also lacking, according to Kampaku.
Furthermore, it is complained that land is still being sold below market value to certain individuals, despite the ongoing moratorium on land sales.
Certain companies mine sand for free in the town and sell it at a profit, while the town council does not benefit from it. The consumption of water is only estimated and losses due to leaks are ignored, while outdated water infrastructure does not receive attention, say the residents.
Furthermore, the municipality sells pre-paid water meters at N$2 500 each, which residents cannot afford and this hampers the establishment of this system, they say.
Furthermore, the residents feel that the municipal account system is unreliable and have therefore decided not to pay for services at all.
The garbage disposal vehicles are broken and are not being repaired; on the contrary, the municipality currently hires vehicles from outside the town to perform the service, the residents complain.
Roads and municipal buildings are not maintained and the municipality rejects any interventions from residents for job creation.
"People can easily fight. They are angry," warns Kampaku.
"If the leaders hear about problems and do nothing about it, that's where civil war can come. They should listen to the people and not just stay away. We have the solutions, but on Okahandja they are only busy with theft," says the community leader.
"Okahandja's people must come together to fix the municipality," he says and that the town's management is rotten from within.
Sethy Gariseb of the Okahandja Concerned Group agrees and adds that residents' input is never sought on town council decisions. Of great concern is the appointment of Red Force to collect debts, and their practice of cutting off water supply.
Many older residents suffer from this, while debts increase over the years, especially during the time when the municipality was not functioning, adds Kampaku.
Questions related to the residents' analysis were sent to mayor Kaunapawa Fillemon, who referred them to the chief executive, Alphons Tjitombo.
Tjitombo referred to applicable legislation which indicates that he is not accountable to individuals or community groups.
No further feedback was provided to the newspaper.
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