Walvis Bay municipality calls for patience

The Walvis Bay municipality has appealed for patience from the public while it addresses service delivery challenges.

The municipality’s acting public relations and customer relations manager Anita Kaihiva in a statement on Friday said that most challenges are the result of a combination of factors including aging infrastructure, a growing population, recent rainfall and ongoing issues such as illegal dumping.

Kaihiva said that many of the issues, particularly those related to infrastructure and waste management, require long-term investment and coordinated efforts.

“Following mechanical issues and breakdowns that affected several of our refuse removal trucks, the municipality implemented a revised five-day refuse removal schedule to ensure more consistent and efficient service delivery across Walvis Bay. Some areas may still experience occasional delays as we work through existing challenges. To minimise service disruptions, the municipality procured the services of an external service provider to support waste collection efforts,” she said.

The municipality has appointed a supplier for the provision of five new refuse compactor trucks, expected to be delivered around the end of July.

It has also increased support to the solid waste management team, while reactivating a clean-up campaign for weekly clean-up operations in identified dumping hot spots.

While factors such an aging infrastructure play a role, Kaihiva said that the situation is made worse by sewage abuse by residents.

Upgrading and rerouting of sewer lines in Mars and Sandwich streets in Kuisebmond is completed, while works in Khomashochland and Mautamanene streets are currently underway.

Kaihiva said that the growth of industries and logistics activity in Walvis Bay has significantly increased heavy vehicle traffic which accelerates road deterioration.

The municipality’s in-house pothole repairs roads team is continuously busy with pothole repairs, while external contractors were engaged over the past few months to assist with critical pothole repairs in high-traffic areas.

The municipality is currently in the procurement phase to appoint more contractors to support ongoing maintenance efforts.

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