Counting the cost

IT will cost an estimated N$5,6 million to repair damage to the capital’s infrastructure following last week’s torrential rains and flooding.

Yesterday Windhoek Mayor Matheus Shikongo appealed to residents to contribute to a disaster fund, saying the City had not specifically budgeted for a disaster of this nature. The greatest expense will be repair work to the City’s water lines and sewerage system – around N$4,5 million.Since the heavy showers started to fall in the capital last week, at least 10 main water lines lost to floods have had to be replaced.The City’s sewerage system has been severely damaged and a pipe-bridge in Katutura’s Grysblok area as well as points in the Klein Windhoek, Arrebbusch and Gammams Rivers have been washed away.SEWERAGE LEAKSResidents have been urged not to fish in the rivers or use water from the streams because sewerage leaks have contaminated several waterways.The City will also have to clear a number of stormwater channels which have been blocked by refuse dumped in river beds.Asked whether residents could expect to bear the brunt of the costs of the flood damage, Shikongo replied: “That’s why we are asking you as a resident to contribute [to the fund]”.A fund – to which the Khomas Regional Council and OB Davids Properties yesterday donated N$50 000 each – is also intended to assist flood victims.The reconstruction of waterlogged roads and the clearing of stormwater channels will cost at least N$850 000.A replacement transformer to restore electricity supply in the Rocky Crest and Acacia areas will cost N$300 000.Flood waters also destroyed an optic cable, leaving at least 3 000 customers in the Windhoek West, Hochland Park and Southern Industrial areas without telephones.Another 800 customers in Avis have been affected.Disaster Management Co-ordinator for the City, Rudi Vaessler, said that, for the time being, various Municipal divisions will use their individual budgets to foot the costs for the repair work.But, it is likely that some departments may exceed their annual budget, as disasters of this nature are not provided for.The City has a disaster fund of N$1,4 million, but Vaessler told The Namibian that the lion’s share of this goes towards the department’s running costs and not for repair work caused by disasters.He said the N$50 000 allocated for unidentified expenses will largely go to buying more rescue equipment and maintaining staff in the field.The greatest expense will be repair work to the City’s water lines and sewerage system – around N$4,5 million. Since the heavy showers started to fall in the capital last week, at least 10 main water lines lost to floods have had to be replaced. The City’s sewerage system has been severely damaged and a pipe-bridge in Katutura’s Grysblok area as well as points in the Klein Windhoek, Arrebbusch and Gammams Rivers have been washed away. SEWERAGE LEAKS Residents have been urged not to fish in the rivers or use water from the streams because sewerage leaks have contaminated several waterways. The City will also have to clear a number of stormwater channels which have been blocked by refuse dumped in river beds. Asked whether residents could expect to bear the brunt of the costs of the flood damage, Shikongo replied: “That’s why we are asking you as a resident to contribute [to the fund]”. A fund – to which the Khomas Regional Council and OB Davids Properties yesterday donated N$50 000 each – is also intended to assist flood victims. The reconstruction of waterlogged roads and the clearing of stormwater channels will cost at least N$850 000. A replacement transformer to restore electricity supply in the Rocky Crest and Acacia areas will cost N$300 000. Flood waters also destroyed an optic cable, leaving at least 3 000 customers in the Windhoek West, Hochland Park and Southern Industrial areas without telephones. Another 800 customers in Avis have been affected. Disaster Management Co-ordinator for the City, Rudi Vaessler, said that, for the time being, various Municipal divisions will use their individual budgets to foot the costs for the repair work. But, it is likely that some departments may exceed their annual budget, as disasters of this nature are not provided for. The City has a disaster fund of N$1,4 million, but Vaessler told The Namibian that the lion’s share of this goes towards the department’s running costs and not for repair work caused by disasters. He said the N$50 000 allocated for unidentified expenses will largely go to buying more rescue equipment and maintaining staff in the field.