Flood preparations held up by funding: official

IN an effort to reduce the impact of future floods in Oshakati, the Town Council is building more water drains and deepening some rivers that run through the town.

Ores Shilunga, the Oshakati Town Council’s Property Manager, told The Namibian yesterday that this council initiative was being hampered by a lack of funds.Shilunga said if there were new floods, people’s homes and businesses would still be flooded as nothing has been done to save the town from being flooded, as this will be a costly and long process.He said there were also not enough higher places where people could be relocated, and relocating people would also mean that they have to be provided with water, sanitation and other necessities, which will cost a lot of money.Shilunga said the Town Council has designed a Master Plan aimed at saving the town from future floods, but this has to be funded by the Central Government.’The Master Plan has already been approved by the Town Council. It is a big project,’ he said.The plan was submitted to Government in July this year and it includes things such as the building of bridges and drains, the rising of some roads and the deepening of rivers.Many homes and businesses in Oshakati were flooded at the beginning of 2008 and 2009.Those who live in the town’s informal settlements were hit hardest.In March this year, two academics from the University of Namibia advised that proper urban planning and surveying should be done when allocating land to people, especially in Oshakati, Oshikango, Ongwediva and Ondangwa.’Infrastructure in urban settlements needs to be upgraded, such as proper drainage systems and proper durable bridges across floodplains,’ said Dr Luke Kanjomeka and Barbra Kachigunda.