Oshakati mayor Leonard Hango, who is also a senior hydrologist, said he will use his expertise in water affairs to assist council deal with seasonal floods, affectionately known as efundja.
“The major challenge is the incoming flow from the oshanas, which is what I specialise in. I will play a significant role to advise the council on the best practices to curb flooding in town,” said Hango.
With the five-year strategic plan having expired in December, Hango said the council is yet to seat to draft the plans for the next five years.
This, he said, will also look into the aspect of flooding at the town, as the local authority is prone to flooding. Some of the projects from the just-ended master plan will be carried over, such as the construction of the embankment and the stormwater drainage system within the town.
He said from the previous strategic plan, only the construction of the Okatana bridge has been realised. The building of the embankment at Ehenye started at the end of the strategic plan and is currently still under construction. The structure will block floodwater from entering the town.
“The dyke is under construction, but we will still see how it will work,” said Hango.
He was confident that it is a step in the right direction as it is known worldwide for curbing floods from entering towns.
Giving insight into the matter, Hango said the concept was working in Ondjiva in nearby Angola. He said the other challenge is the stormwater, of which council has had plans to improve its stormwater drainage.
Currently, the council is inundated with complaints from residents of stormwater flooding their homes – but Hango said with the construction of the embankment and the water drainage, there shall be no further flood-related complaints.
Equally, Hango appealed to developers to always ensure the developments they put up conform to the surveyed points in areas that are already surveyed so as to avoid issues such as floods.
– nashipala@nepc.com.na