Dolam houses now a health hazard

THE City of Windhoek has told the occupants of about 14 flooded homes in Katutura’s Dolam location that the houses would be cleaned without their consent if they do not agree to the clean-up.

In a letter to the residents on Friday, the municipality demanded a response by yesterday. Yesterday, the municipality’s public relations officer, Liz Sibindi, said health regulations permitted the City to move in without consent if buildings were unsanitary and a public health hazard.According to the City’s Health Department, fungi are already growing in the waterlogged and muddy houses and there is a risk of viral or bacterial infections as well.The residents’ legal representative, Eveline Naris of the Legal Assistance Centre, said the residents had agreed to the clean-up, but they would only move back into their homes if renovations are made to prevent further flooding.The Dolam residents have blamed the flooding on the construction of the nearby Sam Nujoma Stadium, saying that a river course had been moved too close to their homes.Last week Wednesday, Windhoek Mayor Matheus Shikongo told the City Council’s monthly meeting that the City would compensate the Dolam families for the flood damage they suffered.He described the payment as a humanitarian gesture, however, and said it was not an acknowledgement of liability.Shikongo said the compensation would be calculated “on market value” but did not elaborate on how this will be done.Shikongo said an assessor’s report had been submitted to the City, but it was still awaiting a report by an independent consultant on the cause of the flood.The Dolam flood victims have been living in the dressing rooms of the Sam Nujoma Stadium since January 5.The municipality wants them to return to their homes as soon as possible.Yesterday, the municipality’s public relations officer, Liz Sibindi, said health regulations permitted the City to move in without consent if buildings were unsanitary and a public health hazard.According to the City’s Health Department, fungi are already growing in the waterlogged and muddy houses and there is a risk of viral or bacterial infections as well.The residents’ legal representative, Eveline Naris of the Legal Assistance Centre, said the residents had agreed to the clean-up, but they would only move back into their homes if renovations are made to prevent further flooding.The Dolam residents have blamed the flooding on the construction of the nearby Sam Nujoma Stadium, saying that a river course had been moved too close to their homes.Last week Wednesday, Windhoek Mayor Matheus Shikongo told the City Council’s monthly meeting that the City would compensate the Dolam families for the flood damage they suffered.He described the payment as a humanitarian gesture, however, and said it was not an acknowledgement of liability.Shikongo said the compensation would be calculated “on market value” but did not elaborate on how this will be done.Shikongo said an assessor’s report had been submitted to the City, but it was still awaiting a report by an independent consultant on the cause of the flood.The Dolam flood victims have been living in the dressing rooms of the Sam Nujoma Stadium since January 5.The municipality wants them to return to their homes as soon as possible.