Windhoek electrification ‘not for votes’

The City of Windhoek says its electrification project is not aimed at scoring political votes.

This comes after social activist Rinaani Musutua this week told The Namibian the council’s agenda is to score political votes before this year’s presidential and National Assembly elections..

She also said the authorities do not plan to solve Namibia’s housing problem.

The City of Windhoek has said it plans to electrify 720 households at a cost of N$11,4 million, which is expected to be completed by the end of August.

The city, however, in a statement released on Friday, said these are false assertions which fail to recognise its ongoing and significant efforts to transform informal settlements and empower residents.

The City of Windhoek’s electrification project includes connecting areas like Okahandja Park B and C, Kilimandjaro, Okuryangava, and Havana Extension 1.

The city has a long-term plan to electrify approximately 4 000 households at informal settlements over the next five years, it says.

The claims that electrifying informal settlements intends to keep people inadequately housed is misleading, the statement says.

The council in the statement reaffirms its commitment to providing essential services to all its residents, highlighting that access to electricity is a fundamental right.