Oshakati to electrify five villages

THE Oshakati Town Council has embarked on a project to electrify five villages on the outskirts of Oshakati at a cost of N$25 million.

The rural electrification project will cater for villages close to the town including Othingo, Onawa, Onendongo, and Oshandumbala over the next five years.

This was said by Oshakati mayor Angelius Iiyambo during the ground- breaking ceremony for the rural electrification project at Oshandumbala village, last Friday. The project will be implemented by Oshakati Premier Electric company.

“As most of you are aware, the town is expanding and some of the villages surrounding Oshakati have already been incorporated for development, while some are still in the process of doing so. It is only justifiable to allow residents of these villages to be included in this project we are commissioning today,” said Iiyambo.

The intention of this project is to minimise illegal connections to the council’s electricity network.

Iiyambo urged the residents of Oshakati, especially those in the neighbouring villages to be patient as the project requires a lot of time, funds and labour to carry out.

“It is worth mentioning that this rural electrification project will specifically be for the homesteads recognised by the traditional authorities and Oshakati Town Council. I further urge all traditional leaders to stop the selling of land. This message is also addressed to all homestead owners, especially those who are going to be beneficiaries of this project. Kindly refrain from selling land in villages that are within the town boundaries,” he said.

He added that the land at these villages is reserved for industrial purposes, hence he urged the residents to make way for development.

Oshakati Premier Electric is a company wholly owned by the Oshakati Town Council aimed at ensuring that the residents receive affordable basic services such as electricity.