Maria David
DESPITE the completion of the Ongwediva fire station’s sleeping quarters, personnel is still not able to make use of the facility due to lack of furniture.
This was revealed by Ongwediva Mayor, Taarah Shalyefu during the tabling of the town’s provisional budget.
Shalyefu stated that the construction of sleeping quarters for personnel on standby at the fire station was completed during the 2020/2021 financial year.
However, he cited that due to lack of funds, the sleeping quarters were not provided with furniture namely beds, chairs, kitchen facilities, and gym equipment.
“The current situation is not conducive for swift response and action during emergencies,” he said.
Shalyefu noted that Council has therefore provided N$226 087 to bring the project to its logical conclusion.
Council also intends to acquire a modern fire engine with a bigger capacity to respond to the emergency needs in town.
To this end, Shalyefu said a provision of N$ 2 million was made in the budget for 2020/21to serve as a first down-payment on the purchase price while the fire engine will be constructed to the specifications of the Council.
He noted that the council has budgeted over N$ 3.2 million for the 2021/22 financial year to cater for the second and final instalment on the purchase price of the fire engine.
