WINDHOEK – Over 100 houses and businesses at Ondalaye in the Oshikuku constituency will receive electricity as part of the ongoing rural electrification programme of the government in a scheme that will cost N$2 million.
Although Ondalaye is home to only 300 inhabitants only 103 will benefit from the rural electrification project, which will hopefully reduce reliance on firewood. Oshikuku Councillor Modestus Amutse recently unveiled the project at Ondalaye. Ondalaye is a rural settlemnt situated at the junction of the Okalongo/Oshikuku road. Amutse said Ondalaye was established after independence, but could not be connected to the national power grid despite the rapid growth of the settlement. An upbeat Amutse said he successfully sourced funds that enabled the constituency office to implement the electrification programme that should be regarded as an early Christmas gift for Ondalaye residents. The project is expected to be completed in 14-weeks, says Amutse.
“Before the approval of the recommendations of the Delimitation Commission by the president, this area was demarcated by a tarred road that streches from the Oshakati/Ruacana main road to Okalongo,” Amutse said. The tarred road formed the border between the Oshikuku and Etayi constituencies. The infrastructure on the west and southern parts of the road was in the Oshikuku constituency, while that on the east and northern parts of the road belonged to the Etayi constituency. However, with the new demarcation of constituencies, the whole area now belongs to the Oshikuku constituency. Amutse accompanied by Zone 4 Electrical Contractors, a company contracted to install electricity at Ondalaye and Power Consult Electrical and Mechanical Engineers who will supervise the project convened a surprise meeting with residents of Ondalaye where he informed them that he had brought them an early Christmas gift.
The councillor said the need for electricity at Ondalaye has always been a concern of the Omusati Regional Council and the governor, but there were no funds to connect residents to the national power grid. He said the situation prompted him to approach different stakeholders for assistance and Nampower responded positively. “I want to classify Ambassador Monika Nashandi of Nampower as a hero of this project.” According to Amutse there are big numbers of school children living in the area, but depend on candles to study at night, while mothers use coal irons to iron their families’ clothes. “Families here could not drink cold water from a fridge like other Namibians whose localities are connected to electricity,” said Amutse. He said many people in the constituency have tried to establish income-genertating ventures, but found themselves unable to to do so without the benefit of electricity. Amutse further said electricity will now strengthen existing business ventures and attract investors to the rural settlement. “The exercise is further aimed at boosting employment opportunities in the constituency, while the process will also encourage the owners of un-developed plots to develop them. This process will effectively respond to government’s call for job creation,” said Amutse. Explaining what motivated him to get electricity for Ondalaye, Amutse said: “The Swapo Party 2009 Election Manifesto makes provision for us as leaders to develop Namibia and her people as part of the party’s contract with the people. “That contract demands from us as leaders to implement by all possible means, provisions of the Swapo Party Manifesto to improve the livelihood of our people.
My understanding in this regard is that we as elected leaders should consult the electorate and identify key areas of development and through cooperation, see how best we can make our people feel the economic results of our independence,” he elaborated.
He promised that the Onamutuni location is next on his list of priorities insofar as electricity is concerned and this will happen hopefully before end of January next year. He said he has already approched NORED to do the required power installations.
“I am now faced with a serious challenge to get funds to provide electricity to two of our oldest locations Osiingela and Epaya, but I remain confident that I will eventually get assistance from those who see the need to invest in the betterment of other Namibians,” he said.
By Loide Jason