Okalongo settlement is filthy
Rampant rubbish dumping, coupled with erratic refuse removal, has turned the settlement of Okalongo in Omusati into a health hazard.
The residents of Okalongo settlement in the Omusati Region are complaining about littering and want the relevant authority to solve the problem.
They blame the settlement's administrative officer, Amandus Kandowa, of not taking responsibility for the cleanliness of the settlement.
When Namibian Sun visited Okalongo this week, rubbish mixed with rainwater lined the main road, just metres from where vendors were doing business.
Local people complained about the smell and the possibility of disease.
“We are tired of Kandowa because if you look at this filthy water and you look at where his office is, there is not quite a long distance. In fact he sees this horrible scene whenever he goes to work but he lets the situation remain like this and yet we must call him our leader,” said an angry community member who preferred to remain anonymous.
There are a number of areas in the settlement where piles of rubbish, mainly broken bottles, can be seen and residents blame Kandowa for the mess.
When contacted for comment, Kandowa admitted that there was a littering problem. He placed some of the blame on community members, especially business people, who dump their rubbish anywhere they want whenever their bins are full.
“We have problems sometimes with these business people but we have talked to them about this matter. We asked them that if they produce a high volume of waste which does not fit in their refuse bins, to apply in writing for refuse cages to be set up for them instead of just dumping waste like that,” Kandowa said.
He also said that the settlement had experienced problems in terms of establishing a dumpsite.
Kandowa also pointed out that they have a contract with a contractor who is paid to ensure that the settlement is clean.
KENYA KAMBOWE
They blame the settlement's administrative officer, Amandus Kandowa, of not taking responsibility for the cleanliness of the settlement.
When Namibian Sun visited Okalongo this week, rubbish mixed with rainwater lined the main road, just metres from where vendors were doing business.
Local people complained about the smell and the possibility of disease.
“We are tired of Kandowa because if you look at this filthy water and you look at where his office is, there is not quite a long distance. In fact he sees this horrible scene whenever he goes to work but he lets the situation remain like this and yet we must call him our leader,” said an angry community member who preferred to remain anonymous.
There are a number of areas in the settlement where piles of rubbish, mainly broken bottles, can be seen and residents blame Kandowa for the mess.
When contacted for comment, Kandowa admitted that there was a littering problem. He placed some of the blame on community members, especially business people, who dump their rubbish anywhere they want whenever their bins are full.
“We have problems sometimes with these business people but we have talked to them about this matter. We asked them that if they produce a high volume of waste which does not fit in their refuse bins, to apply in writing for refuse cages to be set up for them instead of just dumping waste like that,” Kandowa said.
He also said that the settlement had experienced problems in terms of establishing a dumpsite.
Kandowa also pointed out that they have a contract with a contractor who is paid to ensure that the settlement is clean.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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