The study to investigate water provision by Okakarara town council
The objective of the study is to investigate and assess the professional capabilities of Okakarara Town Council as it relates to service delivery using the provision of water as a case study. Okakarara Town Council is one of the local authorities that are characterised by a huge debt owed to the national water utility (Namwater) for the past five to ten years. The most central question that seeks to be answered through the study: was what are the problems associated with the provision of water by Okakarara Town Council and what can be done to address the situation. Both qualitative and quantitative research techniques were used in conducting the study. The study finds that there are problems inhibiting the efficient provision of water by Okakarara Town Council. Among factors that were revealed by the study, lack of employment opportunities, unaccounted for water due to dilapidated water infrastructure and a sound billing system were revealed as the most prominent. These factors impact on the issue of affordability and thus affect the ability of the residents to pay adversely. The study also found that there are some examples like billing systems from Otjiwarongo Municipality which Okakarara Town Council should emulate in order to improve their water supply. The study furthermore has established that the Town Council is providing water to livestock farmers living in areas adjacent to Okakarara Town. These groups of rate payers are very crucial to the financial survival of the council. It is recommended that the water infrastructure be regularly inspected and kept intact. Participation of local residents in the running of the affairs of the Town Council in line with the Decentralisation Enabling Act needs to be strengthened. In order to ensure efficient and effective water provision of local authorities like Okakarara Town Council, there are factors that need to be considered like sustainable economic base the condition of water infrastructure, workable billing system as in the case of Otjiwarongo Municipality.
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