WALVIS BAY – Walvis Bay backyard squatters have appealed to the local authority and government to come up with a workable solution to address the housing issue.
This follows after several homes, including the temporary Otweya campsite, were flooded during a flash flood on Saturday evening at the town.
Backyard squatter Belinda !Hoaes this week told New Era her shack was also flooded and that she had to abandon it in the middle of the night.
“I had to go to my brother’s flat with my two kids, as we were soaked in water. I was so scared that we might be electrocuted – but luckily, the owner of the house switched off the electricity when she saw that the water reached the shacks,” she said.
She then appealed to government and the Walvis Bay municipal council to look at alternative measures, including decent houses for all residents.
“We only want to get land so that we can build our own homes. We know it will not be free; hence, we are willing to pay for it. Some of us have been saving so that we at least have some money once such an opportunity is availed to us,” she said.
The heavy showers also caught Otweya residents, who are currently living in tents, by surprise, as their tents were also flooded.
“I have been praying that it should not rain while we live here because I know it would become a challenge for us,” she said.
Several residents were still drying their clothes and beddings on Monday morning, and the municipally was ferrying dune sand to absorb the rainwater.
Olga Birisamus from the informal settlement also told New Era some of the tents have been moved to higher areas.
“We are hoping that it won’t rain again, as it is very challenging for those living in the tents,” she said.
Erongo governor Neville Andre earlier said the 121 families of Otweya will be relocated once their houses are completed.
The construction of the houses is expected to start in due course.
More than 30 000 residents at the town are either living in backyard shacks or are renting due to a shortage of land and affordable housing.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na