Some residents of Oniipa are advocating for the town to revert to village council status, primarily due to land ownership disputes.

Oniipa Mayor Augustus Jafet told Nampa in an interview on Wednesday that residents complain about slow development in the town but have also approached the council with requests for it to revert to village council status, primarily due to land ownership disputes.

Jafet explained that while the town has attracted significant interest from investors, development is hampered by some mahangu field owners within the town's boundaries who are reluctant to relinquish their land for development.

“The mahangu field owners want to give their relatives plots in their fields instead of selling it to the town council so it can be sold to investors,” the mayor stated.

He further said they are reportedly demanding prices for their land that exceed official valuations.

“We allowed landowners to buy their land for N$5 per square meter, but some of them are refusing to follow this rule,” he stated.

Despite these challenges, Jafet highlighted some progress. He noted that the town council has compensated approximately eight landowners this year and is currently clearing the land.

Additionally, an open market has been established opposite the Onandjokwe State Hospital, and a new low-income settlement, Shamvula location, has been created, with land already allocated and construction underway. The tender process for servicing around 30 plots at Onethindi Proper for high-income earners has also commenced.

Oniipa was proclaimed a settlement in 2004 and achieved town status in 2015.