Youth centre’s taps run dry
The Katutura Youth Centre has had no water for more than a week.A resident of adjoining flats, a certain Mr Cooper, said the complex is also suffering from water shortages.
He made inquiries and was informed that the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service allegedly owes the municipality around N$3.2 million.
When asked by this reporter, the municipality confirmed that the water had been cut off to the centre after informing the ministry in advance. However, a municipal spokesperson did not want to confirm the amount owed.
Meanwhile, Cooper said he struggles to get water to drink his medication. He suffers from asthma, high blood pressure and is diabetic. “It’s not a good thing,” he said. “Residents must now fetch water from the nearby settlements, or from family members who live elsewhere, or even from the farm; just where we can,” he said.
Another resident of the apartment complex, Trevor Collair, confirmed that they have to do without water for days on end.
The youth centre is also being used to temporarily house homeless residents after the onset of Covid-19. They are now also without water, while having to contend with the cold while living in tents on the premises.
Collair said the lack of water also hinders the use of toilets for the homeless.
He added that people at the youth complex are dependent on water brought by good Samaritans.
Questions sent to the ministry's executive director's office remained unanswered at the time of going to press.
Meanwhile, workers at the centre posted a note outside the office and went home. The notice reads: “Due to the shortage of water at the Windhoek Multipurpose Youth Resource Centre, our offices will be temporarily closed for business from 24 June 2022. The office and facilities will be closed until the water issue is sorted out.”