BUKALO – The Bukalo Village Council has received N$3.1 million for compensating residents who will be relocated to make way for development.

The council will compensate 39 villages although another 11 people are yet to be compensated because of legal issues or documentation.

This was announced by Bukalo council chairperson Simataa Mubonda, after he was re-elected this week. 

“The compensation is still ongoing, and the majority of the beneficiaries have already been compensated while the remainder have not been compensated due to legal matters or documentation,” Mubonda noted.

Mubonda is deputised by Annoscah Mutumuswano.

They are both Swapo councillors, and were sworn in by Katima Mulilo Magistrate Davy Kambinda at the village council.

Mubonda highlighted planned activities that include the council’s intention to allocate 300 plots to low-income earners and the unemployed. The council also intends to construct a taxi rank as well as a leisure park.

Further, the council has allocated land to investors, on which 162 houses will be constructed by Haamco Investments CC. 

Les Trading and Enterprises CC was also allocated land to construct a shopping mall next to the highway.

Katima Mulilo Rural councillor Warden Simushi urged investors and corporate entities to grab economic opportunities offered by the Bukalo Village Council, being the gateway to the Chobe National Park and the Victoria Falls.

The village has a filling station in operation.

Another achievement the chairperson touched on was the sewer rehabilitation, which has been a major challenge in Bukalo Village  for more than four years.

He said the council had struggled for all these years, but in March this year, the hazardous and worrisome sewer challenge, was rehabilitated with the help of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

“Poor flow of water in Bukalo was worrisome as the pressure was too low, and in some cases, residents could not use the shower or the kitchen. In collaboration between NamWater and the council, the water flow has improved, and NamWater continues monitoring the situation,” he mentioned.

Mubonda said the council had received an amount of N$900 000 to complete the Build Together houses.

Additionally, he said the council was facing various challenges, such as revenue collection, as some residents continue to default on paying rates and levies.

It is estimated that residents owe the municipality around N$100 000 in unpaid bills.

“Councils make money through the collection of rates and taxes. Therefore, I am encouraging our residents to pay their bills with the council,” he encouraged.

The council also observed that residents are constructing houses without approval. This is largely attributed to the fact that the council has no qualified building inspectors; therefore, the community is advised to seek approval so external stakeholders could assist.

Mubonda also said the council does not have refuse or garbage removal trucks and the situation had forced residents to dispose of rubbish  in open spaces next to the streets.

The theft of copper wires, sewer caps, and vandalism of streetlights is another concern, Mubonda said. 

-anakale@nepc.com.na