After years of darkness, residents of Oshikuku Extension 9 can now look forward to safer and better-lit streets following the installation of 50 solar-powered streetlights by the Oshikuku Town Council. The project, which targets an area earmarked for low-cost housing, is being welcomed by residents as a major improvement that will enhance visibility, strengthen public... The post Solar lights brighten up Oshikuku …Long-Dark Extension 9 gets lights appeared first on New Era .
After years of darkness, residents of Oshikuku Extension 9 can now look forward to safer and better-lit streets following the installation of 50 solar-powered streetlights by the Oshikuku Town Council.
The project, which targets an area earmarked for low-cost housing, is being welcomed by residents as a major improvement that will enhance visibility, strengthen public safety and provide a more sustainable source of street lighting.
Oshikuku Town Council Chief Executive Officer Malakia Iileka attributed the project to the Council’s partnership with Stadt Pfungstadt in Germany, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, and Engagement Global.
Iileka said Stadt Pfungstadt provided technical expertise on solar systems as well as financial support. Both municipalities agreed that solar-powered streetlights were a more practical and climate-friendly option.
“The solar streetlights will provide improved visibility and safety, while also offering a more sustainable lighting solution,” Iileka said.
He said the project would also help the Council reduce electricity consumption and the costs associated with conventional street lighting.
Building local capacity
Iileka said the project was not only about installing infrastructure but also about ensuring that the Council had the technical capacity to maintain the new systems.
“Our technical team received training on the maintenance of the solar systems.
This will help us build local capacity and ensure that the infrastructure is properly maintained,” he said.
Extension 9 is earmarked for low-cost housing, with several houses allocated to members of the Shack Dwellers Federation.
The improved lighting is expected to make the residential area safer while creating a more conducive environment for residents, businesses and other activities.
Oshikuku Mayor Cecilia Kamati, who is also the founder of Superb English Academy, said the new lights would provide much-needed relief, particularly for schoolchildren who attend evening classes.
“This is really a relief, especially for schoolchildren who have to attend evening studies. It used to be dark and unsafe for them to leave school at night,” Kamati said.
She said improved lighting could also help reduce insecurity in residential and trading areas while encouraging businesses to operate for longer hours.
Local business owners also welcomed the development, saying better illumination could create a safer environment for customers and workers and contribute to increased economic activity.
A greener Oshikuku
The streetlighting project forms part of the Council’s broader efforts to improve infrastructure and make Oshikuku a more environmentally sustainable town.
During the 2025/2026 financial year, the Council planted approximately 100 trees across the town as part of efforts to create a greener and more attractive environment.
The Council has also upgraded its oxidation ponds to improve the existing wastewater management system.
Tackling stray cattle and waste
Meanwhile, the Council is preparing to construct a cattle-pounding kraal to help control the movement of livestock through the town.
Iileka said the kraal alone would not completely solve the problem of stray cattle and that the Council was therefore engaging traditional leaders to find a longer-term solution.
“We recognise that the construction of the kraal alone will not completely address the problem. We are engaging traditional leadership on a longer-term solution,” he said.
He also appealed to residents to return to the traditional practice of properly herding cattle and securing them in kraals.
Waste management remains another challenge for the town.
The Council is maintaining the existing dumping site while working towards relocating it to a more suitable location. An alternative site has already been identified, but its suitability still needs to be confirmed through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).
More development on the horizon
Residents can also look forward to the proposed development of a shopping complex, with land already allocated to a developer.
The Council hopes the project will materialise soon, bringing more retail opportunities, creating employment and stimulating economic activity in the town.
Iileka said the Council also plans to pursue the construction of a wastewater treatment plant, which would provide a more sustainable long-term solution as Oshikuku continues to grow.
He further called on investors to explore opportunities in the town, particularly in retail, hospitality, healthcare, financial services, automotive services, hardware and building supplies, education, agriculture, recreation and small-scale manufacturing.
Iileka assured the resident that the Council continues to prioritise the improvement and maintenance of basic municipal services, including roads, water, sanitation, electricity and waste management. “The Council’s approach is to improve services progressively while creating a town that is safe, sustainable and attractive, and a preferred place to live, work and invest,” Iileka said.
The projects are being implemented in phases, with their timelines dependent on funding, procurement processes and the required statutory approvals.
The post Solar lights brighten up Oshikuku …Long-Dark Extension 9 gets lights appeared first on New Era.
