Oshakati informal settlement upgrades a priority
Mayor highlights formalisation progress
Oshakati currently houses nine informal settlements, where residents grapple with a lack of access to basic services, among many other challenges.
Last week, Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango said while the town is known for its many informal settlements, authorities are working around the clock to ensure citizens in these areas have access to basic services.
Hango was speaking at the commissioning of the construction of the MR 111 Okahao road and the MR 92 intersection road, as well as the construction of a new sewer reticulation system in Evululuko, Oshakati, on Friday.
He said Oshakati currently houses nine informal settlements, where residents grapple with unhygienic environmental conditions and lack access to basic services such as water, electricity, sewerage lines and access roads to their homes.
“Our main strategic focal point was to ensure that we formalised all informal settlements in Oshakati, and we are committed. Each financial year, we place a high budget on the familiarisation of our informal settlements,” Hango said.
Hard at work
Addressing deputy minister of urban and rural development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, who was also in attendance, Hango said that in less than five years in office, he and town councillors have managed to formalise about eight informal settlements.
“We have completed the formalisation of Pohamba extension 14; formalisation of Evululuko extension 1 and 2; formalisation of Oshakati extension 15, known as Okandjengedi; formalisation of Oshakati extension 10, known as Evululuko; formalisation of Uupindi South, now known as Uupindi Proper; formalisation of Uupindi North, known as Uupindi extension 1; formalisation of Okandjengedi South, ext 1 and 2; and formalisation of Okandjengedi North into two extensions,” Hango explained.
Collective goals
He added that while they are working on the formalisation processes, they are also working concurrently to construct services in some informal settlements, such as sewerage lines.
“I plead with our respective residents of this town to work with the council hand in hand, especially when required to relocate, to allow [us] the ability to access roads or placements of services. The aim is to reach a collective goal, which is formalisation. Our people are tired of living in unserviced areas where basic services are lacking,” Hango said.
He further stated that, as a council, they place a high emphasis on improving infrastructure in town.
In doing so, council has responded to the concerns of their residents, particularly open market vendors and long-distance bus operators, by constructing an access road from the MR 111 Okahao road and MR 92 intersection road.
“This access road will lead to the Dr Frans Aupa Indongo Open Market, creating easy access to the market, Metro and Cashbuild, thereby reducing traffic congestion along the MR120 (the Game complex road) leading to Okatana. With the construction of these roads, we are not only improving connectivity within our town but also opening up avenues for economic development, easier access to essential services, and safer transportation for all residents,” Hango said.
Hango was speaking at the commissioning of the construction of the MR 111 Okahao road and the MR 92 intersection road, as well as the construction of a new sewer reticulation system in Evululuko, Oshakati, on Friday.
He said Oshakati currently houses nine informal settlements, where residents grapple with unhygienic environmental conditions and lack access to basic services such as water, electricity, sewerage lines and access roads to their homes.
“Our main strategic focal point was to ensure that we formalised all informal settlements in Oshakati, and we are committed. Each financial year, we place a high budget on the familiarisation of our informal settlements,” Hango said.
Hard at work
Addressing deputy minister of urban and rural development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, who was also in attendance, Hango said that in less than five years in office, he and town councillors have managed to formalise about eight informal settlements.
“We have completed the formalisation of Pohamba extension 14; formalisation of Evululuko extension 1 and 2; formalisation of Oshakati extension 15, known as Okandjengedi; formalisation of Oshakati extension 10, known as Evululuko; formalisation of Uupindi South, now known as Uupindi Proper; formalisation of Uupindi North, known as Uupindi extension 1; formalisation of Okandjengedi South, ext 1 and 2; and formalisation of Okandjengedi North into two extensions,” Hango explained.
Collective goals
He added that while they are working on the formalisation processes, they are also working concurrently to construct services in some informal settlements, such as sewerage lines.
“I plead with our respective residents of this town to work with the council hand in hand, especially when required to relocate, to allow [us] the ability to access roads or placements of services. The aim is to reach a collective goal, which is formalisation. Our people are tired of living in unserviced areas where basic services are lacking,” Hango said.
He further stated that, as a council, they place a high emphasis on improving infrastructure in town.
In doing so, council has responded to the concerns of their residents, particularly open market vendors and long-distance bus operators, by constructing an access road from the MR 111 Okahao road and MR 92 intersection road.
“This access road will lead to the Dr Frans Aupa Indongo Open Market, creating easy access to the market, Metro and Cashbuild, thereby reducing traffic congestion along the MR120 (the Game complex road) leading to Okatana. With the construction of these roads, we are not only improving connectivity within our town but also opening up avenues for economic development, easier access to essential services, and safer transportation for all residents,” Hango said.
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