Unhappiness brews over plots
While Onguta's residents are happy with the formalisation of their area, they say they cannot pay the plots off in a year.
Residents of one of Ondangwa's oldest locations have welcomed the town council's initiative to standardise their location, but they are not happy with the time period given to pay off their plots.
They said the majority of Onguta residents are low-income earners who will not be able to pay off their land in a year.
The town council has given Onguta residents 12 months to pay off their plots at a discounted price of N$40 per square metre for residential and N$60 per square metre for business plots. During a community meeting this week, council CEO Ismael Namgongo informed the residents that formalisation plans had been completed and they are welcome to come to the town council offices to pay off their plots.
“For a very long time Onguta has been a location, but now we are done with its formalisation plans and it's time we start developing it, so that it can get to the standard of other townships,” Namgongo said.
“You are now welcome to approach the town council to pay off your plots and get title deeds to your land. You must also submit your house plans so that you can start building.”
Namgongo said the reason behind this was do away with shacks in the location.
“We have already formalised the land, meaning that you can now have access to all municipal services.”
But residents hit back, saying they needed more time to pay off their land.
“Saying that we are only given a year to pay our plots off is discrimination against poor people. The majority of the people here are low-income earners and we cannot afford to acquire loans to pay our plots off. If you are serious about your people, then give us enough time to get the money,” a resident said.
“We seriously want our plots but the problem is the money. We are already struggling to make ends meet and now you are here making the situation tough for us. This will force many people to sell their plots to rich people, something that we do not want.”
During a similar meeting in 2017, the council announced the establishment of 367 residential plots, of which 154 were already standardised during the first phase of the formalisation process, which started in August 2016.
The council said it had constructed a sewerage system in the area at a cost of N$4 million.
The town's technical manager Petrus Shipanga told residents the council normally charges N$80 per square metre for residential plots, N$270 per square metre for business plots and gives buyers six months to pay off their land. However, Onguta residents are being given special treatment because of their unique situation.
“Onguta is one of the oldest locations in Ondangwa, but has not been standardised to a formal suburb. We would like residents to pay their plots off and start developing them,” Shipanga said.
“You can start coming to our offices so that you can make arrangements and also submit your house plans or if you want to sell them (the plots), you are also welcome to come to our offices as well.”
Shipanga said those who cannot afford their plots can surrender them, as the council will find them affordable plots elsewhere in town, together with those who will be resettled because of development.
Namgongo told the residents he will take their complaints to the council, so a decision can be made.
Shipanga informed the residents that only those who surrender their plots to the council will be allocated other plots. He said those that sell their plots will be placed on a waiting list.
ILENI NANDJATO
They said the majority of Onguta residents are low-income earners who will not be able to pay off their land in a year.
The town council has given Onguta residents 12 months to pay off their plots at a discounted price of N$40 per square metre for residential and N$60 per square metre for business plots. During a community meeting this week, council CEO Ismael Namgongo informed the residents that formalisation plans had been completed and they are welcome to come to the town council offices to pay off their plots.
“For a very long time Onguta has been a location, but now we are done with its formalisation plans and it's time we start developing it, so that it can get to the standard of other townships,” Namgongo said.
“You are now welcome to approach the town council to pay off your plots and get title deeds to your land. You must also submit your house plans so that you can start building.”
Namgongo said the reason behind this was do away with shacks in the location.
“We have already formalised the land, meaning that you can now have access to all municipal services.”
But residents hit back, saying they needed more time to pay off their land.
“Saying that we are only given a year to pay our plots off is discrimination against poor people. The majority of the people here are low-income earners and we cannot afford to acquire loans to pay our plots off. If you are serious about your people, then give us enough time to get the money,” a resident said.
“We seriously want our plots but the problem is the money. We are already struggling to make ends meet and now you are here making the situation tough for us. This will force many people to sell their plots to rich people, something that we do not want.”
During a similar meeting in 2017, the council announced the establishment of 367 residential plots, of which 154 were already standardised during the first phase of the formalisation process, which started in August 2016.
The council said it had constructed a sewerage system in the area at a cost of N$4 million.
The town's technical manager Petrus Shipanga told residents the council normally charges N$80 per square metre for residential plots, N$270 per square metre for business plots and gives buyers six months to pay off their land. However, Onguta residents are being given special treatment because of their unique situation.
“Onguta is one of the oldest locations in Ondangwa, but has not been standardised to a formal suburb. We would like residents to pay their plots off and start developing them,” Shipanga said.
“You can start coming to our offices so that you can make arrangements and also submit your house plans or if you want to sell them (the plots), you are also welcome to come to our offices as well.”
Shipanga said those who cannot afford their plots can surrender them, as the council will find them affordable plots elsewhere in town, together with those who will be resettled because of development.
Namgongo told the residents he will take their complaints to the council, so a decision can be made.
Shipanga informed the residents that only those who surrender their plots to the council will be allocated other plots. He said those that sell their plots will be placed on a waiting list.
ILENI NANDJATO
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