By: Loise Shiimi
Epembe residents in Ohangwena are planning a mass demonstration, demanding that the council build a tarred road and stating that their roads have not been upgraded since 1970.
Stefanus Nepela, an activist from the village, has pleaded with all the Epembe constituency residents to join the demonstration that will be held on 6 October 2022.
He said the demonstration is being organised to demand tarred roads and that they are tired of the 1970 “colonial road.”
Epembe constituency in the Ohangwena region has nearly 14,000 inhabitants.
Last month, residents wrote a letter to the council claiming that they continue to be ignored in infrastructure development despite not having basic needs such as water and electricity.
Nepela says residents have made requests from leaders previously, however, they have not received answers to date.
“I figured out that perhaps they will answer us after the demonstration. I am inviting all the Epembe residents, our neighbour Okankolo to come and protest with us from 8 am to Epembe councillor Matheus Nankama’s office until the governor’s office in Eenhana.
“We are fighting for development. We should unite to get what we have requested.”
According to the activist, the demonstration has nothing to do with politics and is only about the residents feeling tired and left out of development and services.
“We feel we are being discriminated by Ohangwena leadership. If we happen to get the tarred road on the side of Okankolo and Uushake and get the gravel road on the side of Epembe and Omuhongo, I know for sure that it will be the beginning of development. We can transport our goods; businesses will succeed as customers can easily get hold of those areas,” Nepele told The Villager.
Nepela further encouraged everyone to gather and demonstrate to ask for assistance in a peaceful manner.
“Otherwise, no one will do anything about the matter if we can’t stand our ground since this issue has been going on for years, and most leaders know about it. We raised the issue to the office of the vice president and the prime minister; the officers always write letters to the roads authority for the matter to be attended to. However, they never received a letter that their request would be addressed.”
He further said that there are reports that a road is being constructed on the side of Okahenge and Ondibo, but that residents of Epembe remain with an old gravel road since 1970.
“New roads are under construction on the side of Omukukutu and Ohameva. At least, they must consider first come, first served.”
When approached for comment, Epembe councillor Matheus Nankama said he has heard all the complaints from the residents but cannot say if they are correct or wrong.
“With that being said, I am agreeing with the issue of the road. I am not saying they’re wrong. As a councillor, I tried where I could concerning the road, and mostly I get the same answer; they would attend to the matter. However, we are waiting.”
