The construction of 54 houses at Usakos by the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) has been halted due to a delay in procuring prepaid water meters.
This come after community members expressed their frustration in a social media post last Tuesday, complaining about the delay in installing the meters despite SDFN having paid N$5 400 to the Usakos Town Council last month.
“The members are ready to begin building. To date, nothing has been done.
These delays are affecting the people and the development,” reads the post.
Speaking to The Namibian last Wednesday, SDFN Usakos representative Augusto Kamolokamwe confirmed the payment to the town council, adding that the N$5 400 included contributions from all 54 members, with each paying N$100.
“The federation paid the money on behalf of the members, who will then pay off their meters over a period of time,” Kamolokamwe said.
He said the building project was expected to be completed last year, but it was delayed due to several factors, including the rainfall.
He added that delays in procuring the necessary components for installation are further slowing progress, though they still plan to complete the project before the end of the year.
Usakos Town Council chief executive Lesley Goreseb said yesterday that while the meters are in stock, installation is on hold until additional materials from South Africa arrive, expected either last Friday or this week.
The materials are estimated to cost about N$20 000.
Goreseb said communication was sent out to the affected members, assuring them that installation would proceed once the needed materials arrived.
“In their application, each member had to choose how they are going to pay.
Prepaid water meters cost about N$2 600, you can pay a down payment or every month, three months, six months, up to nine months,” Goreseb said.
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