Omakange police station and roadblock has allegedly been operating without water or toilet facilities for the past 15 years.
Police officers at the Omakange roadblock at the Ruacana, Kamanjab and Opuwo intersection, claim that they have been working under unbearable working conditions since 2008.
Officers allegedly use the nearby
bushes when nature calls and collect drinking water from a nearby community borehole. Some police officers further claim that they have been subjected to buying electricity for their office pre-paid box
when the power runs out.
This police point was initially meant to be a temporary roadblock when it got established, but it was later changed into a permanent station. Police spokesperson Kauna Shikwambi admitted that officers at the station are indeed operating without flushing toilets and water facilities.
According to her, the existing toilet does not flush, and it requires one to pour water after use. This forces officers to always collect water from the borehole once they relieve themselves. She, however, refuted allegations that police officers use their own funds for electricity, maintaining that the establishment was provided with electricity by the Northern Regional Electricity Distributor (Nored) in 2021 and the ministry has always ensured that they have units. “The regional commander’s office ensures that electricity is always available. If there are officers paying or buying electricity themselves, then that is not communicated officially,” said Shikwambi.
She, however, said plans to construct formal structures at Omakange with the necessary facilities are underway as land was already allocated.
“Budget provision is made where the plot will be developed in the current financial year, where the permanent police structure will be built and with that, the water and electricity issue will be surely addressed,” she said. Shikwambi applauded the police officers at Omakange for their loyalty and commitment towards rendering police services to the community, despite the challenges.