WINDHOEK – Khomas Regional Governor, Laura Mcleod-Katjirua on Saturday visited Groot-Aub to listen to the grievances of residents of the small settlement.
Apart from listening to complaints by Groot-Aub residents the visit was intended to introduce the governor to Groot-Aub so that she could also brief residents about development projects being planned for the settlement. The governor was accompanied by a delegation comprising of the Namibian Police, Windhoek City Police and a delegation from the Ministry of Lands and Resettlement, as well as officials from the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development.
Mcleod-Katjirua said she is familiar with the prevailing situation at Groot-Aub and she was in the area with her delegation to try and address some of the grievances raised by residents. She further said disunity and crime were among the main problems experienced in Groot-Aub. “You should be united as one, we are all Namibians and unfortunately you all have to live together and the misunderstanding in your community must be rooted out,” she said.
She further spoke on the issue of the illegal sale of land, as well as crime. Also speaking at the event was Zulu Shitongeni the chairperson of the Khomas Regional Council, who also highlighted some of the plans that the Khomas Regional Council has for the settlement that is situated in the Khomas Region. “The Groot-Aub settlement is among the development priorities of the Khomas Regional Council, the City of Windhoek and the Namibian government in general.” Shitongeni further told the community that the Khomas Regional Council is going to invest over N$45 million on a project called “Construction of Service at Groot-Aub settlement,” this financial year alone and he also explained that the project is divided into different phases due to a lack of funds. “The first phase therefore is surveying, while the second phase and third phases have to do with water reticulation. Thus the Regional Council is currently implementing Phase 5, which is the upgrading of the sewer network and roads in the Groot-Aub settlement, while Phase 4 only covers a portion of the settlement as well as the construction of sewer ponds,” said Shitongeni.
The Khomas Police regional commander, Commissioner Desiderius Shilunga and the deputy mayor of Windhoek Muesee Kazapua also spoke at the event about future plans for the settlement. About the grievances catalogued by Groot-Aub residents, the governor indiacted her office will go back during the first week of April to give residents comprehensive feedback.
By John Muyamba