Windhoek to light up informal settlements

FIVE informal settlements in Windhoek will soon be lit up, thanks to the N$11 million leftover Targeted Intervention Programme for Employment and Economic Growth money.

The areas earmarked for the electrification are Tweetheni-Ehangano Settlement in Okuryangava, Khaetani Settlement of Otjomuise Extension 2, Ongulumbashe, Okahandja Park and Otjomuise 6 and 7.

These informal settlements fall within the area earmarked for the second phase of TIPEEG projects.

During a council meeting on Thursday last week, Windhoek mayor Muesee Kazapua said the electrification forms part of the municipality’s plans to improve the living conditions in areas that are under-serviced.

According to Thursday’s council minutes, the eletcrification of Ongulumbashe and Okahandja Park will be advertised on tender since the project is contracted to Burmeiser and Partners (Pty) Ltd.

The minutes further say that the Windhoek municipality Department of Electricity will work on the electrification for Julius Nyerere, Ongava, Omuvapu and Tauno Hatulikulipi streets in Okahandja Park.

“The mentioned projects are not budgeted for by the electricity department since they fall within TIPEEG areas, hence the money is being requested to implement the projects as soon as possible and to provide electricity where it is required,” the minutes say. The estimated cost for electrifying Khaetani Settlement, which is considered to be part of Otjomuise Extension 2, is about N$834 399 for 55 erven. Although the community members applied for electricity in 2013, the planning and designs were only completed in 2014.

To electrify Tweetheni-Ehangano Settlement between Ongava, Onguya Streets and the Brakwater Road in Okuryangava, where there are about 500 erven, more than N$5 million will be needed. Labour costs are expected to be more than N$700 000. The planning and designs for this area were completed in the first quarter of 2014.

The residents of Tweetheni-Ehangano were relocated from the single quarters in 2000 to allow an upgrading process. Others came from Otjomuise, Ombili and Kilimanjaro. They have been in the area for the past 14 years.

Otjomuise 6 and 7 residents, according to the minutes, requested to be provided with street lighting because it becomes unsafe during the night, especially along Cassamba, Kitunda, Kibondo, Arusha, Kigoma and Mpanda streets where the volume of traffic increases at that particular time. This will cost about N$700 000.

Lighting for Julius Nyerere, Ongava, Omuvapu and Tauno Hatulikulipi Streets will be done at an estimated cost of N$ 1 901 197. The council minutes argue that Okahandja Park only has high masts and the streets require lighting due to high volumes of traffic and for the safety of the residents at night. Meanwhile, Kazapua said at the end of their two-day land delivery workshop last week at a lodge outside Windhoek, they identified available pockets of land which will be serviced to address the housing backlog. These will be made available to low to middle income groups.

“I am pleased to inform you that close to a 1 000 residential plots will be made available and ready for development in the first half of this year in Khomasdal Ext 16, Otjomuise Ext 4 and Academia Ext 1 Phase 2,” Kazapua concluded. tuyeimo@namibian.com.na