By Frederick Philander
REHOBOTH
The unhealthy night soil bucket system in Rehoboth will soon be eradicated.
This assurance was this week given to the town’s 35 000 inhabitants by Hardap Regional councilor of the Rehoboth West Constituency, Theo Diergaardt.
According to him, N$42,5 million has been budgeted for the three-year conventional toilet project and tenders are being advertised.
“Though not part of my constituency, Block E had been plagued by this despicable unhygienic night soil bucket system for ages. Last year, I went on a personal crusade as far as the United Nation’s Habitat Center in Kenya to help us eradicate the system in Block E forming an integral part of our town.
The UN center sent two representatives to acquaint themselves with the situation in the town,” Diergaardt said in a New Era interview this week.
Due to his tireless efforts, the government has listened to his pleas on behalf of the inhabitants.
“This N$42,5million will now be used over three years to phase out the bucket system. I expect that by 2010, the town’s sewerage system and accompanying services will be on standard. This was agreed with the town council and the consultant responsible for the eradication of the bucket system,” he said.
Block G with 200 houses without sewerage and electricity will be included in the first phase this year.
“Also earmarked to be serviced this year is Block E with a total of 600 houses to be serviced with sewerage. The regional council and the town council work closely together and in collaboration on this and all other development projects. We are morally obliged to work together, unlike in the past. If we don’t work together, the community will suffer. That is why we are totally committed to achieve success,” he said.
Diergaardt has also tirelessly solicited financial support to have the Roman Catholic private hospital in Rehoboth renovated and upgraded.
“The government has now agreed to renovate and upgrade the hospital in the amount of N$13,5 million. We are now debating the issue in the National Council. Our roads are currently being tarred, sure signs of development for the town. Yes, the dust in the town is slowly, but surely disappearing thanks to the arrival of infrastructure development,” he said.
“As councilor I vigorously promote the town’s investment possibilities abroad. I recently visited London in an effort to secure joint investment projects and these negotiations are ongoing. The argument that Rehoboth is excluded from any significant development plans is something of the past. We are equally in the run for development assistance like any other Namibian town because the government is willing to help us,” he said.