The Minister of Urban and Rural Development has called on the Katima Mulilo Town Council to prioritise the well-being of the residents.

Launching a more than N$490 million water treatment system, James Sankwasa stressed the importance of access to proper sanitation, water and electricity as well as proper roads.

He stressed that residents must not be at risk because of short-sighted plans, adding that the government is ready to fund developmental projects.

Sankwasa called upon the constructor of the water treatment plant to start with the project immediately and finish within the prescribed period of three years.

"Katima Mulilo's sewage network was initially constructed for only 500 people. Today we have more than 40,000, around 48,000, I am told; therefore, the surge system has packed up because it is overused, not only overused but also because they have become dilapidated."

Sankwasa appealed to the regional and local leadership not only to plan for Katima Mulilo but also to look at outside potential areas of development to decongest the town.

He said the development of settlements will also help create jobs and directed the town council to start identifying land for housing to meet the government's target to build at least 10,000 houses by next year.

"We have Sibbinda, we have Ngoma, we have Kongola, we have Chinchimane, and we have Sangwali. All these are possible development centres that could be alleviating the full scourge of urbanisation on Katima Mulilo. If only these centres could be developed, it would pull people from Katima Mulilo to outside Katima."

Katima Mulilo Mayor John Ntemwa said the town has been burdened by the sewer system for the past 25 years, leading to an environmental health hazard.

"Thanks to the unwavering support of the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development under the leadership of Honourable James Sankwasa and the commitment of the government of the Republic of Namibia, we have secured a transformative investment for the next three years to overhaul our wastewater infrastructure."

The contract promised to have the first phase of the project completed by August next year.

The plant is aimed at serving 50,000 residents as the population of Katima Mulilo grows from the current 48,000.

The project will upgrade 23 pump stations around town and oxidate the current sewer ponds.