RUACANA – Over 100 Okonyota location inhabitants who have lived there for over 40 years are refusing compensation from the local authority to vacate their land.
They say the compensation offered by the Ruacana Town Council is not commensurate to the value of their land.
They also accuse the council of being corrupt.
“We are not happy at all. Our leaders are corrupt. They do not care about us. We elected them to represent us. Now they are neglecting and robbing us in style. I know and I mean what I am saying,’’ said Okarano village headman Iipinge Shilongo.
He said most of the villagers’ water points are disconnected over non-payment due to high bills.
Shilongo said he does not know why the town council took over their water since it was always handled by NamWater.
“Most of us are pensioners. We are being charged thousands of dollars in the villages. How did they set their rates? It is unfair and unacceptable. They are eating too much,” he said.
The residents say they were promised compensation for as little as N$300 for a shack, and N$10 000 for a building.
Ruacana CEO Malakia Ileka said Okonyota residents are expected to vacate the land to pave the way for development.
“Despite the council’s efforts to explain to residents, we are facing stiff resistance from the community. They are refusing to receive the funds. They are not willing to vacate and pave the way for development.
“The council does not evaluate land, but this is done through the land reform ministry, and then we pay based on the valuation provided. We are busy writing a report to the ministry on what is going on, and will wait for their response,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Ruacana mayor Linda Mbwale said not everyone in the area will be affected by the development.
“For now, I cannot tell where the residents will be relocated to, but it is not far from where they are,” she said.
She indicated that residents who decide to stay in the area will have to obtain land from the council, and those who cannot afford to obtain land from the council will be relocated.
As for now, the area is not suitable for servicing because there was initially no proper planning.
Okonyota resident Maria Shivute said they will not accept the little amount the town council is offering.
“If they want to relocate us, they must take us to a place with water and electricity that is also serviced like other towns,” she stressed.