Govt eyes state of emergency over housing, sanitation

Government is considering declaring housing and sanitation a state of emergency, Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare announced in parliament on Tuesday, acting on a directive from President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah.

Delivering the statement on behalf of the president, Ngurare said N$34 million had been earmarked as an initial step to address sanitation challenges.

"In the past few weeks, Her Excellency directed that housing and sanitation be considered for declaration as a state of emergency," he said. "Housing and sanitation go hand in hand. You cannot achieve one without the other."

He acknowledged that initial emergency funding may fall short but “it is a start” to ensure that every Namibian has access to decent sanitation.

He added that expanding sanitation infrastructure would also create jobs.

"Actualising sanitation also means creating jobs, and many young people would benefit from this.”

Actions underway

The attorney general has advised that the Disaster Risk Management Act, Act 10 of 2012, can be invoked to declare housing and sanitation as emergencies, Ngurare added.

A meeting has already been held to discuss the potential declaration, and consultations with various committees found that resources currently available would be sufficient to address the sanitation aspect.

The National Disaster Risk Management Committee is handling the matter and will report to Cabinet and thereafter to parliament on progress made.

Popular Democratic Movement leader McHenry Venaani questioned whether resources would be adequate. "On the question of housing, we know you do not have money," he said. "Even if we declare housing a crisis, in the absence of funding, that backlog will not be addressed."

Venaani also raised the issue of unemployment. "We also have a motion before this House calling for unemployment, particularly youth unemployment, to be declared a national emergency," he said.

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