Govt releases N$10 m in aid for Mariental

PRESIDENT Hifikepunye Pohamba has ordered the immediate release of N$10 million from the State’s contingency fund to alleviate the impact of the flood that ravaged Mariental nine days ago.

Prime Minister Nahas Angula made the announcement on Friday, saying the money was to be used for restoring life at the town and to bring the situation back to normal. Angula said Pohamba viewed the situation at Mariental as “of great urgency”.”The weekend deluge has negatively impacted on human welfare, wellbeing and comfort,” noted Angula.Pohamba has further ordered that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry assemble a team of engineers and other professionals to assess the situation at the town, draw up a plan to prevent flooding and improve emergency preparedness in the event of future floods.Angula said Government feared heavy rains later this month that could result in repeat floods.Based on the assessment made by the task force, Government would consider declaring the town a disaster area and whether more monetary aid was needed to restore the town to its former state.Angula said the N$10 million was not intended for distribution to individuals who had suffered personal losses, other than for immediate humanitarian needs such as bedding and food, but rather to restore services at the town.”It is just an immediate response to the situation so that life can return to normal.It is to be used for the public good and not for welfare,” said Angula.It would be up to the leadership at the town – the Hardap Regional Council and the Mariental Town Council – to decide how the money would be used.Mariental residents appeared disappointed last week that Pohamba did not declare the town a disaster area following his visit to assess the situation on Wednesday.But Angula said doing so based on preliminary reports, which were not compiled by professionals, would be “premature”.The flooding Fish River damaged roads, sewerage, power and water systems when water was released from the Hardap Dam last Saturday.Numerous homes and business premises were flooded, as were agricultural schemes and crop farms.The Government task force has been particularly requested to assess the watercourse of the Fish River downstream of the Hardap Dam outside Mariental.Angula said Government would await a professional report before responding to opinions that reeds and the silting of the river were to blame for the flooding.Angula appealed for co-operation among local leaders and residents, saying at this time of crisis they couldn’t afford to start “turf wars”.He said residents should also not look for a scapegoat to blame for the situation.”It is not useful at this time to start pointing fingers.For now, it was God’s will,” Angula said.He said it was important to Government that children returned to school as soon as possible.The President has expressed his appreciation to all those who have come to the assistance of the people of Mariental.Angula said Pohamba viewed the situation at Mariental as “of great urgency”.”The weekend deluge has negatively impacted on human welfare, wellbeing and comfort,” noted Angula. Pohamba has further ordered that the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry assemble a team of engineers and other professionals to assess the situation at the town, draw up a plan to prevent flooding and improve emergency preparedness in the event of future floods.Angula said Government feared heavy rains later this month that could result in repeat floods.Based on the assessment made by the task force, Government would consider declaring the town a disaster area and whether more monetary aid was needed to restore the town to its former state.Angula said the N$10 million was not intended for distribution to individuals who had suffered personal losses, other than for immediate humanitarian needs such as bedding and food, but rather to restore services at the town.”It is just an immediate response to the situation so that life can return to normal.It is to be used for the public good and not for welfare,” said Angula.It would be up to the leadership at the town – the Hardap Regional Council and the Mariental Town Council – to decide how the money would be used.Mariental residents appeared disappointed last week that Pohamba did not declare the town a disaster area following his visit to assess the situation on Wednesday.But Angula said doing so based on preliminary reports, which were not compiled by professionals, would be “premature”.The flooding Fish River damaged roads, sewerage, power and water systems when water was released from the Hardap Dam last Saturday.Numerous homes and business premises were flooded, as were agricultural schemes and crop farms.The Government task force has been particularly requested to assess the watercourse of the Fish River downstream of the Hardap Dam outside Mariental.Angula said Government would await a professional report before responding to opinions that reeds and the silting of the river were to blame for the flooding.Angula appealed for co-operation among local leaders and residents, saying at this time of crisis they couldn’t afford to start “turf wars”.He said residents should also not look for a scapegoat to blame for the situation.”It is not useful at this time to start pointing fingers.For now, it was God’s will,” Angula said.He said it was important to Government that children returned to school as soon as possible.The President has expressed his appreciation to all those who have come to the assistance of the people of Mariental.