OSHAKATI – Almost 200 people demarcated plots for themselves at Uupindi in Oshakati since Tuesday.
The residents who spent Tuesday and Wednesday occupying piece of flood-prone land told New Era they will soon erect shacks there.
“We want land. If the town council does not give us land, we will continue grabbing it until they get tired of us,” said a resident who refused to be identified.
Ndapandula Amakali who also grabbed a plot at Uupindi, said she does not care if it is in the flood-prone area, as she wants a place of her own.
“I am tired of renting. I have been renting for over 11 years, and I applied for land five-six years ago. What else must I do?” stressed Amakali.
Titus Ndjoba said the council is not considering their plight, and that forced them to grab the plots.
Oshakati CEO Timoteus Namwandi emphasised land belongs to the council, and residents must wait for council to deliver services without jeopardising the process.
Namwandi expressed disappointment in community members grabbing land instead of using the right channels to obtain it.
“This is not a solution to the land problem. If you are grabbing land, there are always consequences,” he cautioned.
Council spokesperson Katarina Kamari said they are aware of residents who need land, and they are trying to service enough land for low-income earners, but this will be done in phases due to budgetary constraints.
“Onawa is earmarked for relocation to accommodate ultra-low income earners and council had also revived the Build Together programme to accommodate low-income earners,’’ she explained.
Kamari appealed to people to wait to be allocated land in an orderly manner.
– vkaapanda@nepc.com.na