Otavi Village Council under fire

Written by Patience Nyangove
Thursday, 26 November 2009

OTAVI Informal Settlement residents are demanding information about the Otavi Village Council expenditure for the past four years including money spent on a trip to Europe.



In a petition to the village council over poor ablution facilities, the residents question why the village council has not done anything to address the issue of blocked toilets two years after a team from the Ombudsman’s office investigated the issue of health hazard condition at the camp.

“A report was submitted to the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing, the Regional Health Directorate in Otjiwarongo and the Otavi Village Council.

“In 2008, a reassessment was done by the team from the Ombudsman. The obligation of the village council has not been fulfilled until today,” the petition points out.

The report from the Ombudsman, according to the petition, noted that there was no political will to improve the conditions at the settlement.

“No funding was available for the devastated water or lights installation for more than 10 years. No cleaning materials and no supervision for the toilets but the CEO and the chairlady of the council travel unauthorised abroad and take a loan on the municipality account,” the petition alleges.

The petition further demands that the village council should explain and provide proof of funds invested in the last four years’ meant for the toilets; a summary of travel allowances and related transport costs for the village councillors; and to say what the villagers gained from the trips.

In a separate letter to the Ombudsman, Uwe Rathmann notes that there are two toilets which serve about 1,120 people and that all the 16 bowls are blocked and overflowing with human waste.

Rathmann further says, “The walls, floors and doors is (sic) covered with dirt and the municipality workers don’t enter the buildings anymore. In the surrounding (sic) of the buildings is standing water and urine.”

He added that people are now using bushes even when it’s dark since there are no lights.

Chairlady of the Otavi Council Ndapewa Nambili, said this was part of poor politics being spearheaded by white people who are not happy with the Swapo led council.

“This is poor politics. I am not working for certain groups. I was elected to serve everyone. These white men had an opportunity to change the living standards of the people but they failed, now they are trying to block what the Swapo supported council is trying to build.

“These white men are trying to cause confusion among the residents besides in an informal settlement you are lucky to have toilets,” she said.