Okongo plans waste management upgrade

Max Henrich

ONGWEDIVA- Okongo Village Council is planning a waste management infrastructure upgrade and exploring recycling partnerships as it seeks to address growing environmental challenges caused by expanding business activities and increasing waste volumes.

According to the council’s local economic development and communications officer Joyce Ueitele, the council currently manages solid waste through a designated dumping site where rubbish is disposed of and burned, a method it acknowledges is not sustainable in the long term as the village continues to grow.

“To improve waste management, the council is exploring alternative disposal methods, including recycling, and seeking partnerships with private companies capable of handling larger volumes of recyclable materials,” she said.

She stated that although some individuals in Okongo are already involved in recycling, their efforts remain limited compared with the amount of waste generated by households and businesses.

“Collaboration with recycling operators, businesses and residents will be important in reducing waste sent to the dumping site and promoting environmental responsibility,” she said.

She maintained that the council also plans to relocate the existing dumping site, but the process depends on the completion of demining activities.

The council is seeking assistance from relevant stakeholders to facilitate the process and establish a more suitable waste disposal area.

Meanwhile, Ueitele maintained that the council plans to procure a backhoe loader, commonly known as a TLB, to remove waste that has accumulated over several years and improve the efficiency of waste removal.

“Domestic waste collection is already carried out by a contracted company, which collects and removes household rubbish from the village. However, the increasing use and disposal of paper, plastics and plastic bottles continue to put pressure on waste collection services and efforts to keep public spaces clean,” she said.

Ueitele further stated that waste water also remains a concern, as the appropriate ponds for holding treated wastewater have not yet been constructed.

“The council currently uses a natural pond to hold the treated water. The designs and cost estimates for the proposed wastewater ponds have already been obtained, with the overall upgrade estimated to cost N$19 million,” she said.

The project is expected to be implemented in phases, depending on the availability of funding.

The planned infrastructure improvements and expanded recycling efforts are intended to strengthen sanitation, protect the environment and accommodate the village’s continued growth.

Ueitele maintains that addressing Okongo’s environmental challenges will require improved infrastructure, adequate funding and cooperation between authorities, businesses and residents to ensure a cleaner and healthier living environment.
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