Helao Nafidi's omatala completed

The new open market in Oshikango at Helao Nafidi, has been completed.

Helao Nafidi Mayor Eliaser Nghipangelwa told Nampa on Monday the town council has invested some

N$5.6 million in the open market (omatala) project.

Nghipangelwa said the project started in 2014 and construction was completed earlier this year.

The new omatala can accommodate about 400 tenants.

The mayor said the first stalls will be allocated to vendors who are currently operating from Oshikango's Katwitwi informal settlement.

“Many of the Katwitwi vendors are currently using their homes for business purposes as well so these are the people we first have to provide with residential plots at two different sites, one in the east and the other in west of Oshikango,” Nghipangelwa explained.

He said vendors will be relocated to the new open market once the process of allocating residential plots is completed, possibly by August this year.

The mayor told this news agency the vendors will be provided with plots serviced with water, electricity and streets.

“Although they are to be moved from Katwitwi with their own structures, which are mostly shacks, the council will ensure that the new residential sites are properly designed,” Nghipangelwa stated.

Half of the Katwitwi settlement was flooded this year following heavy rains received in the Ohangwena Region from Angola last month.

Many of the vendors closed their businesses due to the flooding.

-Nampa