We’ll do better: City

WINDHOEK residents have complained that the City is too slow in responding to queries and requests they have raised at public meetings.

Nonetheless, attendance improved at the last series of meetings held in October. On average, just less than 100 people attended each of the 21 meetings – 360 more than previously.But little interest was shown in meetings held for the formal business community.At its first meeting of the year last month, council recognised that residents might boycott meetings if swift action was not taken to address residents’ concerns.As a result, council has directed municipal departments to respond to queries more swiftly and to compile a report of these before the next round of meetings which are due to start in May.Last year, residents waited up to five months for responses to their concerns.In addition, Councillors say in some instances they were embarrassed by the poorly prepared answers from some departments.During the last series of meetings, most residents in informal settlements raised concerns about refuse removal, the payment of water and electricity services and noise pollution caused by shebeens and other informal businesses.Numerous questions were raised by residents throughout the capital about the establishment of the City Police.Most were unhappy about paying for a service they were not receiving.Several residents also reported incidents of dumping in the city’s river beds – a situation said to have been a major cause of flooding three weeks ago.Another concern was pollution caused by people squatting in riverbeds.Residents also queried the environmental effects of large developments in the city, such as the new State House and the amount of water used by the Ramatex Textile Factory.On average, just less than 100 people attended each of the 21 meetings – 360 more than previously. But little interest was shown in meetings held for the formal business community. At its first meeting of the year last month, council recognised that residents might boycott meetings if swift action was not taken to address residents’ concerns. As a result, council has directed municipal departments to respond to queries more swiftly and to compile a report of these before the next round of meetings which are due to start in May. Last year, residents waited up to five months for responses to their concerns. In addition, Councillors say in some instances they were embarrassed by the poorly prepared answers from some departments. During the last series of meetings, most residents in informal settlements raised concerns about refuse removal, the payment of water and electricity services and noise pollution caused by shebeens and other informal businesses. Numerous questions were raised by residents throughout the capital about the establishment of the City Police. Most were unhappy about paying for a service they were not receiving. Several residents also reported incidents of dumping in the city’s river beds – a situation said to have been a major cause of flooding three weeks ago. Another concern was pollution caused by people squatting in riverbeds. Residents also queried the environmental effects of large developments in the city, such as the new State House and the amount of water used by the Ramatex Textile Factory.