OSHAKATI – The Constituency Councillor of Uuvudhiya, Amutenya Ndahafa, is concerned about the slow pace of development in his constituency.
He cites the lack of a medical centre in an area with over 4 000 inhabitants, the absence of a police station as well as the absence of communication signals as some of the pertinent concerns.
Speaking at a meeting with the Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila recently, Ndahafa said community members in his constituency are obliged to walk long distances to seek medical services.
At the moment, patients are attended at Oshikuku or Oshakati Intermediate Hospital after the clinic at Onkani, which was previously in the Uuvudhiya, was displaced to Otamanzi Constituency.
“The only clinic that we once had was the one I built at Onkani, however, since Onkani was moved to Otamanzi Constituency, we no longer have a clinic,” said Ndahafa.
According to the councillor, a feasibility study to build a clinic at Onaushe was conducted in 1994 already and recommendations were made for the clinic to be built, however, it still remains a dream deferred.
“The area is far, people are bitten by snakes every now and then; there are even those that find themselves delivering in donkey carts while being transported to the hospital,” said Ndahafa.
Ndahafa said a plot has already been availed for the medical centre to be built. However, they are waiting upon government to avail the resources. He said he cannot confirm when the construction will begin. However, he asserted that his office was informed that once the clinics in Okaku and Onamutayi are completed theirs shall commence.
Equally disturbing for the councillor is the lack of a police station. Ndahafa related how the crime rate in his constituency has perturbingly grown over the years and called for resources to be availed to build a police station. A plot has already been availed at Eengombe centre.
He said that the area, which is densely populated by livestock farmers, has over the years been infested with stock thieves.
“There is no immediate response because we are far and it also makes it difficult to trace the culprits,” related Ndahafa at the meeting on Monday. Ndahafa remarked that it is perturbing to learn that money is being sent back to Treasury year after year when there are constituencies that are in need of the resources for development.
“We even made applications in 2003 for MTC to put up a network tower, but all that has been in vain. When you enquire you are given a date but nothing has been done up to now,” said Ndahafa.
The councillor further urged for the speedy finalisation of the 3678 and 3607 roads, which will connect the constituency to Oshakati.