Govt might house learners – PM
The directorate of education, arts, and culture in the Ohangwena Region has suspended teaching for over 1 000 learners due to floods that arrived in Namibia about two weeks ago, making it difficult for learners and teachers to access schools.
According to education director Isak Hamatwi, this number of learners may increase as floods persist in the region.
During a site visit to the affected areas this week, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said government has submitted proposals that are still being finalised amidst the current increase in floodwater in the northern parts of the country.
On the immediate plan in terms of the schools that are currently closed, she said government might have to lodge learners close to the affected schools.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila noted that in future, plans for the location of infrastructure projects like schools and other institutions will need to be studied to avoid flood-prone areas.
She further raised concerns over the affected residents’ inability to access social and economic infrastructure, as well as the loss of this year’s harvest, which was expected to be a good one.
“We are now advantaged to foresee situations of this nature better. We need to ensure that we work together to prepare ourselves better, so that these situations do not translate into disasters.”
Refusing to relocate
Meanwhile, some flood-affected residents have refused to be relocated from their homesteads, saying they are afraid they will not find anything there when they return once the floodwater subsides.
Onaminda village resident Rosalia Mwoongela said she has experienced floods for three years and has never relocated because the water level was not extreme.
“I fear if I am relocated, my belongings will be stolen and that means I will have to start from scratch again,” she said.
During a visit to one of the four relocation sites in Ohangwena, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged families to move to higher ground.
She added that the Namibian Police will consistently patrol the flood-affected areas to ensure that no theft takes place.
According to education director Isak Hamatwi, this number of learners may increase as floods persist in the region.
During a site visit to the affected areas this week, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said government has submitted proposals that are still being finalised amidst the current increase in floodwater in the northern parts of the country.
On the immediate plan in terms of the schools that are currently closed, she said government might have to lodge learners close to the affected schools.
Kuugongelwa-Amadhila noted that in future, plans for the location of infrastructure projects like schools and other institutions will need to be studied to avoid flood-prone areas.
She further raised concerns over the affected residents’ inability to access social and economic infrastructure, as well as the loss of this year’s harvest, which was expected to be a good one.
“We are now advantaged to foresee situations of this nature better. We need to ensure that we work together to prepare ourselves better, so that these situations do not translate into disasters.”
Refusing to relocate
Meanwhile, some flood-affected residents have refused to be relocated from their homesteads, saying they are afraid they will not find anything there when they return once the floodwater subsides.
Onaminda village resident Rosalia Mwoongela said she has experienced floods for three years and has never relocated because the water level was not extreme.
“I fear if I am relocated, my belongings will be stolen and that means I will have to start from scratch again,” she said.
During a visit to one of the four relocation sites in Ohangwena, Kuugongelwa-Amadhila urged families to move to higher ground.
She added that the Namibian Police will consistently patrol the flood-affected areas to ensure that no theft takes place.
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Namibian Sun
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