Police reopen unsafe Ruacana stairs
After months of closing the stairway leading to the bottom of the Ruacana waterfall that became dangerous after heavy rain damaged the stairs, the police have given up and reopened the stairwell after failing to get the responsible authority to repair the damage.
In December, the police closed the 400-stair stairwell.
The Omusati police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Linekela Shikongo, told Namibian Sun that all the authorities, Nampower, the Omusati Regional Council and the Ruacana Town Council denied responsibility.
Shikongo said that after the heavy rain the police decided to suspend access, because it was unsafe.
“We failed to get the responsible authority and we have reopened the stairway. Stairs are collapsing and this is a serious safety hazard, but there is no way we can prevent people from getting to the bottom while there is no one to repair the damage,” Shikongo said.
Shikongo said that no injuries have been reported yet, but they are worried that this is the season when people begin to visit Ruacana.
He said the waterfall attracted many visitors during the holiday season, but they all complied with the police instructions. Shikongo also applauded the councillor's office for promptly informing them about the hazard.
Earlier on, Ruacana constituency councillor Andreas Shintama said the stairway was damaged by rain last year. He said his office was exploring all avenues to find out who was responsible for maintenance at the falls.
“We do not know under whose care that place is. It is a public place, but someone, somewhere must be responsible for it,” Shintama said.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, said the area falls under the Omusati Regional Council, but Shintama disagreed.
“Plans are under way for the Omusati Regional Council to take control of the area. Currently, it is just a public place,” Shintama said.
The Ruacana waterfall is situated on the Kunene River on the border with Angola. The waterfall is 120 metres high.
ILENI NANDJATO
In December, the police closed the 400-stair stairwell.
The Omusati police spokesperson, Warrant Officer Linekela Shikongo, told Namibian Sun that all the authorities, Nampower, the Omusati Regional Council and the Ruacana Town Council denied responsibility.
Shikongo said that after the heavy rain the police decided to suspend access, because it was unsafe.
“We failed to get the responsible authority and we have reopened the stairway. Stairs are collapsing and this is a serious safety hazard, but there is no way we can prevent people from getting to the bottom while there is no one to repair the damage,” Shikongo said.
Shikongo said that no injuries have been reported yet, but they are worried that this is the season when people begin to visit Ruacana.
He said the waterfall attracted many visitors during the holiday season, but they all complied with the police instructions. Shikongo also applauded the councillor's office for promptly informing them about the hazard.
Earlier on, Ruacana constituency councillor Andreas Shintama said the stairway was damaged by rain last year. He said his office was exploring all avenues to find out who was responsible for maintenance at the falls.
“We do not know under whose care that place is. It is a public place, but someone, somewhere must be responsible for it,” Shintama said.
The spokesperson of the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Romeo Muyunda, said the area falls under the Omusati Regional Council, but Shintama disagreed.
“Plans are under way for the Omusati Regional Council to take control of the area. Currently, it is just a public place,” Shintama said.
The Ruacana waterfall is situated on the Kunene River on the border with Angola. The waterfall is 120 metres high.
ILENI NANDJATO
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