The System Is ‘Crumbling’

PLEASE allow me to make my views through your newspaper.

I am a Government employee working in the Opuwo constituency. I am staying in a Government house that belongs to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication.This house and many others were allocated to individual Government employees and some were allocated to certain ministries, and the ministries allocated the house to their employees.These houses are from the old regime – they are very old – roofs, ceilings are falling apart, pipes are blocked or not in use, there are cracks all over the walls and floors are broken.The buildings have become very risky for those who are residing there.The Ministry of Works, which is responsible for maintaining these houses, is doing minor repairs only sometimes.They can do nothing to solve the problem because of lack of tools, equipment or funds.Sometimes the occupants have to hire someone to do the job for him or her.My main concern is about the risks in which we have placed our lives due to the condition of the buildings.It is against this background that I would like to request the Ministry of Works to consider this request.Why can’t the ministry consider selling these buildings to those interested, with first choice to be given to the occupants as has happened at other towns like Otjiwarongo.Why are we treated as if we are not Namibian citizens? We all want to have property of our own and we will be able to improve the condition of these buildings.All buildings belonging to the ministry should be considered even those which are allocated to the various ministries and not only those which were allocated to individuals.Let us all be treated equally in this matter.Concerned peace-loving Namibian Opuwo (Name supplied)I am staying in a Government house that belongs to the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication.This house and many others were allocated to individual Government employees and some were allocated to certain ministries, and the ministries allocated the house to their employees.These houses are from the old regime – they are very old – roofs, ceilings are falling apart, pipes are blocked or not in use, there are cracks all over the walls and floors are broken.The buildings have become very risky for those who are residing there.The Ministry of Works, which is responsible for maintaining these houses, is doing minor repairs only sometimes.They can do nothing to solve the problem because of lack of tools, equipment or funds.Sometimes the occupants have to hire someone to do the job for him or her.My main concern is about the risks in which we have placed our lives due to the condition of the buildings.It is against this background that I would like to request the Ministry of Works to consider this request.Why can’t the ministry consider selling these buildings to those interested, with first choice to be given to the occupants as has happened at other towns like Otjiwarongo.Why are we treated as if we are not Namibian citizens? We all want to have property of our own and we will be able to improve the condition of these buildings.All buildings belonging to the ministry should be considered even those which are allocated to the various ministries and not only those which were allocated to individuals.Let us all be treated equally in this matter.Concerned peace-loving Namibian Opuwo (Name supplied)