Day: May 18, 2023

Residents of Otjiwarongo should expect to pay more for their monthly municipal bills, effective, 01 July 2023.

The municipality’s rates and taxes will increase by three per cent, solid waste by seven per cent, water tariff by eight per cent, sewage services by six per cent and two per cent for cemetery services.

This was announced at a special council meeting held yesterday afternoon by the chairperson of the management committee Godhard Hoko, when he tabled the municipality’s N.dollars 183.1 million capital and expenditure budget for the 2023/2024 financial year.

At the same meeting, the Otjiwarongo deputy mayor, Julienda Kampungu said she was in full support of the budget as it solely focus on the needs of the inhabitants as the municipality ensures that its solid economic base is created.

Kampungu said out of N.dollars 183.1 million tabled N.dollars 37.3 million if for capital projects while N.dollars 145.8 million is for operations and expenditures including the maintenance of existing infrastructure.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Residents of Outjo face a water interruption due to vandalism of a wooden electricity pole which was cut down, and now affecting power supply to the town’s two water pumps.

Outjo Municipality on Wednesday afternoon in a media statement issued to Nampa indicated to the residents that the normal water supply will only start once the electricity is restored to the two water pumps.

The Outjo Municipality supplies water to its residents directly from its underground water reservoirs.

“As a consequence of the current power failure affecting the operations of our two water pumps, residents are requested to conserve water until the matter is resolved,” said the statement.

It added that efforts are underway to repair the damage and restore the electricity supply to the pumps.

On Thursday morning several residents told this news agency that the lowly water situation is slowly “turning ugly” at the town, and thus called on the municipality to speed up the repair process.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Inspector General of the Namibian Police Force, Lieutenant General Joseph Shikongo has called on the support of members of the community in Erongo to help fight and alleviate crime.

Shikongo during a recent meeting with the region’s business community held in Walvis Bay stressed that members of the force cannot fight crime without the assistance of community members who are on the ground and equipped with the relevant information to assist in the apprehension of criminals.

The IG was responding to concerns raised by some business people on the alleged sale and use of drugs at a Walvis Bay residence, which is well known by the community members.

“In order for the police to get this kind of information, we need intelligent sources of information. The fact that this drug house is known by everybody, it is just a matter of coming up with a strategy by the regional commander to put an end to this, even if it means getting assistance from the head office.”

The IG expressed concern with people who are harbouring drug dealers and users, but do not question or report the situation to the relevant authorities.

“The problem with community members is that they are complaining about drug users and the sale of it within the community, but these drugs are being used or sold by our children and family members and we do not do anything about it.

Parents or relatives need to pay more attention on the behaviours and mannerisms of people living in their homes and question when they notice something odd, such as having too much money,” he expressed.

The IG explained that Namibia was only known as a drug transit, however now it is becoming a consumer through the transnational organised crimes currently on the increase.

“Meaning most of the drugs that come into the country comes from different nations, through our borders, so we need to strengthen efforts in order to find the main source and once we catch them, we need to ensure that a stiffer punishment is given to these drug lords,” Shikongo urged.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency