News from council chambers
During the most recent municipal council ordinary meeting a number of issues were discussed. Here are a few highlights.• Fibre optic monetisation project
Councillors Sam Nujoma and Jurgen Hecht presented a progress report on this project that aims to enable council to operate more efficiently whilst improving service offerings to residents, businesses and investors through ease of online transactions and access to real-time, reliable data amongst other benefits.
The report highlighted the strategic importance of the project and how the public will benefit from it once implemented. The report stated that council did not approve a 5G project at any point, and that it is not procuring 5G equipment nor entering into a memorandum of understanding in this regard.
Furthermore, it was stated in the report that CRAN has not awarded any Spectrum Licenses for the deployment of 5G to any operators in Namibia.
In the event that council decides to procure 5G equipment, the relevant provisions of the Public Procurement Act, 2015 (Act of 2015) will guide the appropriate procurement procedures.
• Tarring programme in northern suburbs
A list of the northern suburbs' residential streets (phases 1 to 7) that have been upgraded to bitumen standards was presented. The list includes 94 streets in the Katutura Central Constituency (phases 1 and 2), 32 streets in the John Pandeni Constituency (phases 2 and 3), 24 streets in the Moses Garoeb Constituency (phases 4 and 5), three streets in the John Pandeni and five streets in the Moses Garoeb constituencies (Phase 6) and 14 streets in the Samora Machel Constituency (phase 7).
• Consent for sporting activities
Council approved an application by the Namibia Jukskei Board to operate sporting activities on Erf 8350, Windhoek, on condition that the illegal restaurant on the erf is closed until the submission of a successful consent use application including public participation for a business building for restaurant purposes. The erf is located in Olympia, along Jason Hamutenya Ndadi Street and currently accommodates the Jukskei Club, Cross Fit Wellness Centre and the Vintage Bar and Grill.
• Market upgrading
Council approved a request by the VISET Namibia, who received funding from the Alumni Engagement Innovation Fund (AEIF) via the American Embassy, to use the funds for the upgrading of the Onghendambala Market. The value of the upgrades is N$643 266.30 and the upgrades, according to municipal drawings, was approved as a donation to the City of Windhoek (pending ministerial approval). The proposed upgrades include:
Fencing off the entire market area to protect the site from encroachment and illegal occupation and ensure available space for future development;
Improving ventilation on the eastern side of the market space;
Repainting the entire market; and
Installing shade nets and sliding doors.