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namib times
SERVING THE COASTAL COMMUNITY SINCE 1958 NO 6984 FRIDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2022 Tel: +264 64 - 205854 / +264 64 - 461866 /Fax: +264 64 - 204813 / 064 - 461824 / Website: www.namibtimes.net
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Restore hope and dignity
Namibians get an in-depth understanding of SPAT
Rudi Bowe
A motion for the affordable sale of serviced or unserviced plots and restoring hope and dignity of the very low-income residents of Walvis Bay was recently tabled at a council meeting. Walvis Bay councillor, Ryan Gordon who tabled the motion said most of the low-income residents did not have the opportunity to finish their school career or a lack of financial aid crippled their dreams and desire to further their studies. “These are people with little or no possibility to empower themselves economically and land is the ultimate resource.” Gordon said, “it's time for council to step forward and restore hope and dignity in our people, the residents of Walvis Bay.The objective of the motion is to request the council to avail Extension 11, Erf 4609N (3.8 hectares) and Erf
4608N (4.6 hectares). If made available, 280 residential plots can be sold to the low-income group which includes taxi drivers, domestic workers, petrol attendees and security guards. We are aware of the shack fires and the loss of lives and personal belongings that go hand in hand. We really want our people out of shacks and into their own houses which they can call home.” According to him, plots become houses and houses are turned into homes with character. The motion was unopposed by council members and it was referred to the management committee of the council.
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Walvis Bay councillor Ryan Gordon
Pensioners to benefit from debt relief
Campaign to educate residents about fire response
Rudi Bowe
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Walvis Bay Mayor, Trevino Forbes said during consultative meetings, council will finally write off about N$60.7 million of debt owed to council by 1 026 pensioners, and about N$54 million outstanding intereston residential property improvements of 102 369 customers from the date the interest started accumulating up to the end of February.
Forbes explained the town has been hit hard by Covid-19, and faced economic hardships during that time. “Therefore, the relief aims to assist residents during tough economic times and that pensioner debt will only be written off if they are registered and residing on the property.Forbes said, “we, as council, hence passed a resolution to assist our rates and taxpayers by bringing debt relief in various ways for our residents.” According to the mayor, residents currently owe the municipality a total of N$265 million, with those in Kuisebmond alone owing N$100 million, followed by Walvis Bay urban residents who owe council N$96 million with residents in Narraville owe council N$22 million whilst residents in Meersig, Dolphin Beach and Langstrand owe N$15 million, N$22 million and N$7 million respectively. The mayor however, urged residents to continue paying their accounts. “The money is needed to provide other services such as road maintenance, fixing of potholes, and upgrading of the sewer system just to mention a few.”Forbes said council is also looking into purchasing water vending machines, which would provide water to residents when the municipality is closed.” This is something we really want to do.The municipality must
Brand new Tipper trucks for Lithium Ore mining
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pay NamWater about N$10 million every month and failure to do so will result in NamWater no longer supplying water to our town,” Forbes said and added council resolved to build a desalination plant at the town, to provide water at a lower cost to residents.” However, council is experiencing some challenges with the central government in terms of obtaining the relevant permits.” RegardingFarm 37, situated about 7km east of Walvis Bay, Forbes said the plan was to move some of the 50 000 residents living in backyard shacks to Farm 37.“The area has the potential to yield at least 30 000 erven, and it was also approved by government during Covid-19 for the relocation of about
Sports News
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