ONGWEDIVA – Members of the business community and residents in Ongwediva have expressed their frustration over streets without lights, saying the darkness is constantly attracting thieves.
They also complained that their businesses are not growing due to slow service by the Ongwediva Town Council.
These frustrations were registered on Tuesday during an engagement meeting hosted by the Ongwediva Town Council.
The meeting discussed challenges faced by residents, and to seek cooperation with businesspeople.
Businesswoman Ndaambe Nekwaya stated that it is not safe to walk in dark streets.
“The lights are off because they are not working. It’s just dark, and we are at risk of being attacked,” she said.
She added that residents pay high fees in rates and taxes to the town council just to be subjected to poor services.
Another businesswoman, Amelia Schmidt, who has been living in Ongwediva for 27 years, said they are frustrated because there is no business growth in the town.
“Ongwediva is no longer the same. We are suffering because the town council isn’t delivering excellent services. Our businesses are affected,” she lamented.
Schmidt said businesspeople in Ongwediva attend meetings regularly, but there is no change. Another businessman, Hafeni Timoteus, said Ongwediva’s roads have life-threatening potholes.
“It’s time for the new councillors of Ongwediva to start working together and upgrade the roads in town,” he said.
He also added that the town is very dirty and that there is water in front of some business premises.
“Students at the International University of Management are often victims of robberies. It is not safe around that side of IUM because the streets do not have lights,” he stressed.
Responding during the meeting, the mayor of Ongwediva, Naemi Amuthenu, said her office had written a letter to Northern Regional Electricity Distributor requesting the repair of the streetlights.
“Nored told us that they were running out of bulbs,” she said.
She stressed that the town council has taken note of the challenges faced by residents.
“We will continue working hard to deliver excellent services to our residents,” she stated.
The mayor also noted that residents are dumping rubbish everywhere in town, which is not good.
“People should make use of dustbins to dispose of rubbish. Let’s keep our town clean,” she added.
Responding, Simon Lukas, spokesperson for Nored, confirmed that the bulbs had not been in stock for the past two weeks.
“We have now received enough bulbs and will soon start repairing the damaged streetlights in Ongwediva,” he said.
Lukas also urged residents to stop vandalising bulbs because it is very risky.
It also came to light during the meeting that when it comes to the awarding of tenders for the Ongwediva Annual Trade Fair, only cronies of those with proximity to or in positions of power and influence benefit.
“They normally choose their friends and family. Each year, only one person is awarded a tender while others are not,” said a businessman.
These tenders include catering services, cleaning services, security services and artists’ performances. Another businessman, Gabriel Hafeni, said there are many artists in the northern regions, but they do not get opportunities to perform at the trade fair.
“The new councillors should change the committee. We need a new committee that will be responsible for the trade fair,” he added. He further said that everyone should get an opportunity to receive a tender during the Ongwediva Trade Fair.
The mayor promises to discuss the issues with her councillors.