THE Ongwediva Town Council has spent N$10 million towards formalising the newly established township of Omatando.
In an interview with Nampa on Monday, council spokesperson Jackson Muma said a total of eight extensions consisting of 2 287 plots are planned.
The amount includes costs for the planning and surveying of the area.
Muma explained that since 2016, property owners were encouraged to register whatever structures they had already erected in the area to help the council make proper and coordinated planning towards the formalisation of the area.
“A total of 1 354 properties were registered with the council, and those listed are now encouraged to consult the office for property verification in order to obtain site plans and prepare building plans for approval, in line with the general plan,” he said.
Muma emphasised that the aim to register properties was to have a well-planned and surveyed township, and thereafter, essential services can be provided to the community, in line with the Local Authorities Act.
He further explained that since Omatando was proclaimed as part of the town in 2012, inhabitants have been up in arms over the issue of formalisation. However, since the process began in 2016, the council had nine meetings with them, which led to the conclusion of the registration of existing structures.
Muma said so far, traditional homesteads are not included in the processes as the council is busy identifying the fields to be surveyed and the compensation to be paid to owners. – Nampa
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