By Elina-Ombili Shishaki /
Residents of Kaniita, an informal settlement located on the outskirts of Omuthiya town, feel neglected by the Omuthiya Town Council as their public taps are running dry after the flow of water was stopped by the municipality.
Despite their efforts to ensure that they have access to clean water and proper sanitation the taps remain dry for a long time. As a result most residents are forced to buy water on a daily basis from those few residents who own a tap, or they walk to town to buy water.
“I have been staying in this location for over 15 years now, at first the taps which were installed by the town council were operational,” said Mrs Aina Joseph. “But since the time of Covid-19 preventive measures were relaxed the water crisis arouse.
“Being an unemployed elder of my house I have to do odd jobs here and there, at times selling kapana, in the hope of getting funds to be able to buy water which costs about N$3 per 20 little container, which is costly in my case.”
Mrs Joseph added that she has high expectations from the municipality officials to resolve this matter before things get out of hand.
Mr Moses Angula feels that the officials need to set up a meeting with community members or urgently communicate plans for resolution of this water crisis situation with water committee representatives in their respective locations.
Angula is a sole breadwinner who does auto mechanical services at the town to make ends meet. He expressed disappointment in the town council, adding that he always travels several kilometres to town to fetch water everyday which costs him an arm and a leg.
Mr Peter Ngede, a 56 year old self-employed welder who hailed from Ohangwena Region, is one of the senior residents of this location. He stated that there are no proper toilets at their settlement.
Although the council had built public toilets, this effort proved futile as most of the toilets are now closed to the public due to lack of proper maintenance.
“Currently there are five portable toilets installed but only three are working. It is hard for us to use these few toilets and some people relieve themselves behind bushes and shrubs when nature calls,” Ngede lamented.
He also revealed that an amount of N$555 is required of one to pay monthly in order to have a prepaid water tap at one’s household in this settlement.
Ms Kristmas Nuuyoma echoed the same sentiment, stating that living in Kaniita location can be costly.
“Although I have my own tap water at my shack I still have to foot the bill, including other bills such as land registration, sewage, and fire brigade.”
She urged the council to improve the standard of living in the informal settlement for the betterment of the residents.
Meanwhile Kaniita residents are set to relocate in the near future to an undisclosed part of the town of Omuthiya to pave way for town development.
Residents hope for improved services at their new location and that they will have their own plots and land ownership, access to clean water and proper sanitation.
In the photo: Kaniita residents’ most pressing challenge is their public taps which are running dry, while sanitation is also a serious issue facing them.
