Deputy Mayor Urges Tobias Hainyeko Residents to Protect Municipal Infrastructure
Windhoek Deputy Mayor, Cllr Albertina Amutenya, has called on residents of the Tobias Hainyeko Constituency to help protect municipal infrastructure and refrain from vandalising Council property, including communal taps and sanitation facilities.
Amutenya made the call during a public meeting held in the constituency on Monday, where she outlined planned developments and ongoing efforts by the City of Windhoek to improve service delivery in the area.
She urged residents to take ownership of public infrastructure, warning that vandalism and the destruction of municipal property could undermine efforts to improve access to basic services.
Among the developments outlined by the City is the planned upgrading of Limbandungila Market in the Northern Industrial Area, which has been allocated N$200,000.
The City also plans to develop Erf 17/288 into an informal trading area at a cost of N$200,000.
The project is expected to create a more organised environment for informal traders and improve trading conditions in the area.
A further N$100,000 has been allocated for the expansion of the Tukondjeni, also known as Stop n Shop, Market.
The expansion is expected to benefit approximately 460 local traders.
In addition, Council has set aside N$300,000 for the expansion of the Maxuilili Fire Station.
The project is aimed at strengthening emergency response capacity and improving the City’s ability to respond to emergencies within the constituency and surrounding areas.
Despite these planned developments, residents raised concerns about several service-delivery challenges affecting the constituency.
Among the issues raised were the demarcation of areas, the need for a dedicated taxi rank, access to electricity and what residents described as the slow pace of development.
Residents called for greater attention to infrastructure and basic services, particularly in areas experiencing rapid population growth.
The City acknowledged the concerns raised during the engagement but also highlighted challenges that continue to affect the provision and expansion of municipal services.
According to the City, some residents have resisted relocating from certain areas to make way for the installation of infrastructure and services.
The construction of additional structures after areas have already been demarcated was also identified as a challenge.
The City further raised concern over the occupation of riverbeds by residents, saying this makes it difficult and, in some cases, unsafe to extend municipal services to those areas.
The public meeting forms part of the City of Windhoek’s ongoing engagement with communities to identify service-delivery challenges, communicate planned projects and involve residents in discussions about the development of their respective constituencies.
The City has encouraged residents to cooperate with municipal authorities and to avoid activities that could obstruct infrastructure development or compromise the delivery of essential services.
The meeting was attended by City Councillors Queen Kamati, Mathew Shoongo and Toini Ambambi, who joined the Deputy Mayor in engaging residents on the challenges and development priorities affecting the constituency.
The City is expected to continue engaging communities as it works towards addressing infrastructure and service-delivery needs across Windhoek.
