ONGWEDIVA – The much-anticipated dyke at Oshakati has been put on hold since 2016 after the construction of its first phase which comprised three bridges around the town.
The Oshakati Town Council as part of its Master Plan in 2011 embarked on the construction of a dyke that would have cost N$1.5 billion with the aim to rid Oshakati of seasonal flood waters.
“The aim of the dyke was to divert flood water from the town,” said the chief executive officer at the town, Werner Iita.
Work on the dyke will comprise installing controlled locks, as well as cleaning and deepening the natural, depressions (oshanas) at the town.
However, since the construction of the Okatana bridge, the CEO said, there was no further work done as a result of limited funds.
The current economic challenge faced by the country is also reported to have affected a number of government-funded projects across the country and has not spared Oshakati town.
The council as part of its phase constructed a N$93 million bridge at Okatana as well as bridges worth N$15 million between Ehenye and Ekuku and another at extension 16.
Iita reiterated that council does not have the funds to continue with the construction of the second phase.
“We are waiting for the economy to recover, but we are hopeful that the master plan will continue as planned in the future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the council has put up a temporary embankment to prevent further floods at the town.
However, since the heavy floods that led to the idea to construct a dyke at the town, the council has not experienced any severe flooding.