Absence of stormwater system haunts Rehoboth
Learners struggle to access schools due to floods
Rehoboth community members say the lack of drainage systems in the town must be addressed urgently.
Rehoboth community activist Abes Kaibeb says the town's CEO, Simeon Kanime, and some councillors are ignoring the plight of the community regarding floods.
Kaibeb, during a telephone interview, claimed that the biggest problem faced by the town is that there's no stormwater system in the town.
"One other problem is the riverbed right at the entrance of Rehoboth Primary School (RPS), over which the council should build a bridge.
"All we [the community] ask is that they make temporary paths for the water to flow away and fill the road in front of the two schools," he said.
Hands tied
According to the council's spokesperson, Desire Theunissen, there is not much they can do at the moment, but they are working on it.
"It's not only the RPS but several other areas that are being flooded. Residents in Block F have confirmed that the water has flowed through. We are looking at ways to remedy the situation, but currently, it is what it is," she said.
In several Facebook posts, councillors Amanda Groenewaldt and Mara Beukes discussed the severity of the flooding.
In one post, Beukes says: "It is outrageous that our residents, who pay for services, have to live and accept this mess year in and year out."
In another post, Beukes said she had "begged" the council to look at the affected areas in December, but nothing was done.
"Now let's use the hands and brain cells to push," she wrote.
Beukes did not want to comment further when she was called to comment on the matter.
Same issue, different year
Kaibeb revealed that the problem has been around for close to eight years, and the council has continuously alluded to building a bridge but has failed to act so far.
"Surely there are cheaper ways. They're talking about consultants. How do you bring in consultants when the town already has no money? People like Ralph Ritttmann from Echo Service Station charged me N$1 100 per hour to use his road scraper. That is a cheaper solution," he said.
RPS school officials have confirmed that, at the moment, neighbouring residents have created a path through their yards for learners to pass.
Kaibeb, during a telephone interview, claimed that the biggest problem faced by the town is that there's no stormwater system in the town.
"One other problem is the riverbed right at the entrance of Rehoboth Primary School (RPS), over which the council should build a bridge.
"All we [the community] ask is that they make temporary paths for the water to flow away and fill the road in front of the two schools," he said.
Hands tied
According to the council's spokesperson, Desire Theunissen, there is not much they can do at the moment, but they are working on it.
"It's not only the RPS but several other areas that are being flooded. Residents in Block F have confirmed that the water has flowed through. We are looking at ways to remedy the situation, but currently, it is what it is," she said.
In several Facebook posts, councillors Amanda Groenewaldt and Mara Beukes discussed the severity of the flooding.
In one post, Beukes says: "It is outrageous that our residents, who pay for services, have to live and accept this mess year in and year out."
In another post, Beukes said she had "begged" the council to look at the affected areas in December, but nothing was done.
"Now let's use the hands and brain cells to push," she wrote.
Beukes did not want to comment further when she was called to comment on the matter.
Same issue, different year
Kaibeb revealed that the problem has been around for close to eight years, and the council has continuously alluded to building a bridge but has failed to act so far.
"Surely there are cheaper ways. They're talking about consultants. How do you bring in consultants when the town already has no money? People like Ralph Ritttmann from Echo Service Station charged me N$1 100 per hour to use his road scraper. That is a cheaper solution," he said.
RPS school officials have confirmed that, at the moment, neighbouring residents have created a path through their yards for learners to pass.
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