Informal settlements have not 'been forgotten' – Otjiwarongo CEO

Financial constraints remain the biggest obstacle to improving living conditions in Otjiwarongo's informal settlements.

The municipality's chief executive officer, Mberipura Hifitikeko, told Namibian Sun recently that many continue to live without proper sanitation, reliable water, electricity and accessible roads but stressed that improving living conditions in informal settlements remains one of the council's highest priorities.

"The municipality understands the challenges that many residents in our informal settlements continue to face and wants to assure the community that they have not been forgotten," Hifitikeko said.

Hifitikeko said the municipality is currently implementing a bulk sewerage project for informal settlements, describing it as a critical step towards improving sanitation. He added that a bulk water infrastructure project is also underway to improve water pressure and provide a more reliable water supply.

However, he said projects of this scale require substantial financial resources.

"As a result, services such as roads, sanitation, water and electricity will continue to be provided incrementally as funding becomes available."

Hifitikeko said council remains committed to improving residents' quality of life while continuing to mobilise resources to expand access to basic municipal services.

Safety and security of land

His comments come after Namibian Sun spoke to Priskila Nghidhiti, a resident of Extension 17 informal settlement, last Friday.

Nghidhiti said the community urgently needs street lighting to improve safety, particularly for schoolchildren who leave home before sunrise.

"Some learners wake up as early as 04:00 to walk to school. They are vulnerable to being robbed because the area is dark," she said.

She added that security guards and other employees returning home after the sun has set also face safety risks.

Beyond safety concerns, Nghidhiti said residents remain uncertain about land ownership.

While acknowledging that many families initially occupied the land illegally, she said residents are asking the municipality to consider them fairly when residential erven are allocated.

"Some people have already received erven while others are still waiting without knowing where they stand. We are not asking for special treatment. We just want equal consideration."

She also said continued illegal land occupation in and around Extension 17 has created uncertainty for existing residents, with many unsure whether they will eventually qualify for formal plots.

On the cards

Addressing concerns about the informal settlement behind Ombili, commonly known as Eie Risiko, Hifitikeko said the municipality plans to relocate households occupying the land illegally.

He said the objective is to shift residents to a planned area where they can obtain secure land tenure and where municipal services can be provided in an orderly manner.

"The municipality recognises the uncertainty experienced by families currently occupying land illegally behind Ombili," he said. "Planning is progressing, and once the necessary preparations and resources are in place, residents will be relocated in due course."

He added that the municipality will continue engaging affected communities throughout the process.

Responding to complaints about confusion over erf allocations, Hifitikeko said land is allocated according to council-approved policies and resolutions.

He said applicants are assessed using established eligibility criteria, including registration on the municipal waiting list, verification that applicants do not already own residential property and compliance with other applicable requirements.

Depending on the specific development project, additional criteria may also be applied to prioritise households with the greatest need.

"Going forward, the municipality will continue strengthening public communication through community meetings, public notices and direct engagement so that residents have a clearer understanding of how allocations are made and where they stand in the process," he said.