Kavango councillor denies sidelining villages in electrification plans
Residents voice frustration
Councillor Damian Maghambayi confirmed that the power project is already underway, with materials delivered and contractors on site.
Mukwe constituency councillor Damian Maghambayi has denied claims that the villages of Thipanana and Rughongo were deliberately excluded from a rural electrification project.
He noted that the process was guided by technical and financial considerations, not corruption or favouritism as alleged by some residents.
Responding to growing community frustration, Maghambayi told Namibian Sun this week that plans to electrify the two villages were initiated by his office in coordination with the Kavango East governor’s office and NamPower.
He said a contractor was appointed after the project received official approval.
However, he acknowledged that some areas, particularly parts of Thipanana, were left out of the implementation phase due to what he described as “technical and cost constraints” that emerged after multiple assessments.
“Unfortunately, not all areas could be covered at once. There was an assessment, and later a reassessment that involved some community representatives," he said.
"But not everyone from the development committee took part, and that might have led to certain areas being omitted,” he added.
Project phases underway
Maghambayi also categorically denied accusations of corruption and favouritism.
“People are saying I’m corrupt and that I’m choosing who gets electricity, but that’s not true. I don’t even come from that area. The project is being implemented in phases,” he stressed.
According to him, the project is already underway, with materials delivered and contractors on site. “Another phase will follow to cover remaining areas that were left out,” he added.
Sceptic residents
Still, residents of Thipanana and Rughongo remain unconvinced. Development committee chairperson David Muronga accused the councillor and officials involved of excluding large parts of the community without proper communication.
“We were told that we would be electrified last year. But then we found out that the electricity infrastructure was taken somewhere else – Kapako village. Nobody consulted us properly,” Muronga alleged.
Muronga and other residents said they’ve been advocating for electrification for years through radio, formal letters and direct outreach to local leaders, only to be left in the dark.
“They only informed the people who weren’t going to benefit. We, the real beneficiaries, were left out,” Muronga added.
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He noted that the process was guided by technical and financial considerations, not corruption or favouritism as alleged by some residents.
Responding to growing community frustration, Maghambayi told Namibian Sun this week that plans to electrify the two villages were initiated by his office in coordination with the Kavango East governor’s office and NamPower.
He said a contractor was appointed after the project received official approval.
However, he acknowledged that some areas, particularly parts of Thipanana, were left out of the implementation phase due to what he described as “technical and cost constraints” that emerged after multiple assessments.
“Unfortunately, not all areas could be covered at once. There was an assessment, and later a reassessment that involved some community representatives," he said.
"But not everyone from the development committee took part, and that might have led to certain areas being omitted,” he added.
Project phases underway
Maghambayi also categorically denied accusations of corruption and favouritism.
“People are saying I’m corrupt and that I’m choosing who gets electricity, but that’s not true. I don’t even come from that area. The project is being implemented in phases,” he stressed.
According to him, the project is already underway, with materials delivered and contractors on site. “Another phase will follow to cover remaining areas that were left out,” he added.
Sceptic residents
Still, residents of Thipanana and Rughongo remain unconvinced. Development committee chairperson David Muronga accused the councillor and officials involved of excluding large parts of the community without proper communication.
“We were told that we would be electrified last year. But then we found out that the electricity infrastructure was taken somewhere else – Kapako village. Nobody consulted us properly,” Muronga alleged.
Muronga and other residents said they’ve been advocating for electrification for years through radio, formal letters and direct outreach to local leaders, only to be left in the dark.
“They only informed the people who weren’t going to benefit. We, the real beneficiaries, were left out,” Muronga added.
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