Otjinene electricity issues require permanent solution – councillor

Otjinene councillor Eben-Ezer Kauapirura has called for a permanent solution to energy instability in the constituency after a massive power outage left the area in the dark for five consecutive days.
The blackout, which began last Friday, paralysed essential services including healthcare, water supply, education, and telecommunications.
While electricity was finally restored on Wednesday, the grid remains unstable, with residents reporting that electricity is still frequently “tripping” in several parts of Otjinene.
Speaking to Nampa on Wednesday, Kauapirura warned that the recurring outages have resulted in significant economic losses and threats to public safety and sanitation.
“Given the cross-cutting nature of these challenges, it is evident that Cenored cannot resolve this matter in isolation,” Kauapirura said, referring to the regional electricity distributor.
The councillor urged Cenored, NamPower, and NamWater to engage with the constituency leadership to establish a coordinated response, and emphasised that the community requires more than just a temporary fix.
“We need a lasting solution to the existing power supply instability. This should include clear contingency measures, communication protocols during outages, and a medium- to long-term infrastructure plan for Otjinene,” he said.
The outage affected a number of local institutions, including Usiel Ndjavera Primary School. Lawrence Mbatjangovasi, a head of department at the school, noted that the lack of electricity immediately halted the water supply.
“We struggled to get water for daily uses including bathing, cooking, and toilets. It affected the learning process as we were struggling to enter the assessment and exam marks in the school link,” Mbatjangovasi said.
While the school utilised a backup generator, it proved inadequate to meet the facility’s total demand.
Cenored technician for Otjinene and Epukiro Charles Kandjii attributed the initial failure to seasonal weather and unforeseen accidents. He explained that lightning strikes frequently damage lines during the rainy season.
“The recent outage was a result of a NamPower line which was difficult to identify. There was also a truck that hit a power line during the outage,” Kandjii said.
According to Kandjii, the damage caused by the vehicle is the primary reason the system continues to trip in certain areas despite the general restoration of service. He assured residents that technical teams are “working around the clock” to stabilise the local grid and eliminate the remaining faults. – Nampa

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.