Rundu: Ndama’s water woes continue
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
The water shortage in Rundu’s Ndama location remains a serious challenge as residents struggle to access the precious resource.
For years, Ndama residents have been left high and dry, and over recent months, the situation has worsened.
Sources share that access to water has become a daily struggle, with some residents having to forego showers for a week because the little water they get is solely for consumption.
“The situation in Ndama is very serious. We need water! Just look at weather, how can a person live without water in this heat? What does that say about our leaders, are they for us or against us?” a resident fumed.
Long distances
The long distances to water points is what limits residents from carrying more than one container at a time, they said.
Meanwhile, residents added that on the sandy roads, a wheelbarrow only slows you down.
When contacted for comment, acting Rundu CEO Sam Nekaro said the council acknowledges the water shortage at Ndama, and is in the process of addressing the matter.
He said the council has already paid connection fees to NamWater, but is yet to procure water pipes.
There is a water pipe in the direction of the Rundu Airport and the council is planning to connect to that pipe to provide water to Ndama, he added.
Debts racking up
The council currently owes NamWater close to N$100 million, with the bulk of the debt a result of residents defaulting on their municipal accounts.
Meanwhile, the council is owed over N$300 million by defaulters for various services.
On a recent visit to Ndama, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni instructed the council to rectify the water situation, but more than a week later, the situation remains unchanged.
With the regional and local authority elections less than a month away, a number of opposition parties have used these water woes as campaign fodder.
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RUNDU
The water shortage in Rundu’s Ndama location remains a serious challenge as residents struggle to access the precious resource.
For years, Ndama residents have been left high and dry, and over recent months, the situation has worsened.
Sources share that access to water has become a daily struggle, with some residents having to forego showers for a week because the little water they get is solely for consumption.
“The situation in Ndama is very serious. We need water! Just look at weather, how can a person live without water in this heat? What does that say about our leaders, are they for us or against us?” a resident fumed.
Long distances
The long distances to water points is what limits residents from carrying more than one container at a time, they said.
Meanwhile, residents added that on the sandy roads, a wheelbarrow only slows you down.
When contacted for comment, acting Rundu CEO Sam Nekaro said the council acknowledges the water shortage at Ndama, and is in the process of addressing the matter.
He said the council has already paid connection fees to NamWater, but is yet to procure water pipes.
There is a water pipe in the direction of the Rundu Airport and the council is planning to connect to that pipe to provide water to Ndama, he added.
Debts racking up
The council currently owes NamWater close to N$100 million, with the bulk of the debt a result of residents defaulting on their municipal accounts.
Meanwhile, the council is owed over N$300 million by defaulters for various services.
On a recent visit to Ndama, urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni instructed the council to rectify the water situation, but more than a week later, the situation remains unchanged.
With the regional and local authority elections less than a month away, a number of opposition parties have used these water woes as campaign fodder.
[email protected]
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