Land grab disturbs Oshakati

Land grab disturbs Oshakati Council warns of drastic action Despite the best efforts of the Oshakati town council to service and allocate residential plots, people are still grabbing land and building illegally in flood areas. KENYA KAMBOWE



The Oshakati town council says it is disturbed by the number of illegal construction activities taking place in the town and in the surrounding oshanas, and the perpetrators will be dealt with accordingly.

Oshakati, which is a flood-prone town, is always challenged during the rainy season where it has to relocate people from flooded areas to higher ground, therefore building in oshanas is discouraged.

The council says its efforts to allocate serviced plots to residents are not appreciated.

The council recently handed over 500 serviced plots in the Ekuku area, while 600 plots are still to be allocated and 900 more are being serviced in the same area.

Council spokesperson Katarina Kamari says the illegal land grab is one of the biggest challenges the council is faced.

“Council is very much disturbed by the illegal construction taking place around town. It is a big challenge as residents do not want to adhere to the regulations. They do not come to the office to apply through the normal procedures,” Kamari said.

“Council is always informing residents through community meetings not to grab land but to apply through the normal procedure,” she said.

Kamari said the council was committed to addressing the land shortage by continuing to solicit funds and servicing more plots, especially the Onawa area which it plans to make a reception area where low-income earners living in informal areas will be relocated.

“Council has completed the layout plan for Onawa, where low-income earners will be accommodated. Very soon the council will survey the area and put up basic services like water and electricity so that relocation can take place. Residents need to be patient till this process has been completed,” she said.

Asked what measures can be taken against those who build illegally, Kamari said a notice to remove their structures within a certain period is given and if they fail to comply the council has the right to remove the structures.

Kamari said ignorance is one of the reasons why people are building illegally.

She said most of the people who erect illegal shacks already own land elsewhere in the formal areas, yet they erect shacks to rent out.

She said that people are moving to Oshakati seeking jobs and better living conditions

“Everyone, especially young people, want to reside in town although some have no income, hence they tend to settle anywhere forgetting that this is not a village but a town guided by legislation,” she said.