Engineers to assess Dolam case

THE Legal Assistance Centre (LAC) has asked Windhoek Consulting Engineers (WCE) to help determine why about 14 homes at Dolam in Kat­u­tura were flooded in January.

Evelyn //Naris told The Namibian last week that they approached WCE after the City of Windhoek refused to give them its engineers and assessors report. The LAC, which is giving financial advice to the Dolam flood victims, wanted to look at the reports so that they would know what caused the flood and the damage.The affected families are still being accommodated at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, a stone’s throw from their homes.The families have linked the flooding of their homes to the erection of the stadium.Last month, the City stopped providing the residents with free meals and free electricity.A room has been provided for them to do their cooking, but they have to buy their own power.The City said funds available to provide free meals to the residents had been exhausted.City officials are angry that the residents do not want to move back to their homes, which the City completed cleaning and disinfecting weeks ago.For their part, residents say they will only return if the City does something to prevent further floods.WCE’s Hydraulic Engineer Gert Cloete confirmed to The Namibian that the LAC had asked for their help.Cloete said the City had indicated it would make available the storm water design plan for the Sam Nujoma Stadium.This should enable the engineers to determine if the flooding was linked to the construction of the stadium At its January Council meeting, the City said it would pay compensation to the Dolam families.The LAC, which is giving financial advice to the Dolam flood victims, wanted to look at the reports so that they would know what caused the flood and the damage.The affected families are still being accommodated at the Sam Nujoma Stadium, a stone’s throw from their homes.The families have linked the flooding of their homes to the erection of the stadium.Last month, the City stopped providing the residents with free meals and free electricity.A room has been provided for them to do their cooking, but they have to buy their own power.The City said funds available to provide free meals to the residents had been exhausted.City officials are angry that the residents do not want to move back to their homes, which the City completed cleaning and disinfecting weeks ago.For their part, residents say they will only return if the City does something to prevent further floods.WCE’s Hydraulic Engineer Gert Cloete confirmed to The Namibian that the LAC had asked for their help.Cloete said the City had indicated it would make available the storm water design plan for the Sam Nujoma Stadium.This should enable the engineers to determine if the flooding was linked to the construction of the stadium At its January Council meeting, the City said it would pay compensation to the Dolam families.