Allexer Namundjembo
The residents of the Katima Mulilo Rural constituency have raised concerns over poor network coverage in their areas, despite network towers being erected in their villages last year.
The towers, installed in Ikumwe, Nakabolelwa, and Mutikitila, were expected to be operational by September 2024 following a groundbreaking ceremony officiated by Information Minister Emma Theofilus in June.
Although completed, the towers have not been activated, leading to frustration among the communities, who feel the project was a political ploy by the ruling party to attract voters ahead of the November presidential and national assembly elections.
“Powercom started with the construction of three network towers in June 2024 that were supposed to be completed and connected by September last year, but up to now, they are still not connected. No feedback is being given to the community despite the delays,” said the residents of Nakabulelwa in a joint message shared with the Windhoek Observer this week.
Katima Mulilo Rural regional councillor Kennedy Simasiku confirmed that the towers are inactive.
“We have network issues, but we have a tower that was installed at Boma and I am told there will be another one that will be installed near the Wenela border. Unfortunately, they are not yet operational. I made a follow-up with MTC, but they told me that Nored did not electrify the towers, but they are making arrangements to electrify them,” Simasiku said.
He also divulged that there are plans for an additional tower in the Nova village.
Nored spokesperson Simon Lukas referred questions to PowerCom.
PowerCom’s chief executive officer, Beatus Amadhila confirmed that the company had awarded contracts for the construction of 18 network towers across the country in the last financial year.
These included three in Zambezi, three in Kavango East, one in Kavango West, one in Oshikoto, one in Oshana, two in Omusati, one in Otjozondjupa, four in Khomas, one in Erongo, and one in ||Karas.
“The contract for the construction of the towers in Zambezi was awarded to the successful bidder in June last year, and work commenced immediately after the groundbreaking. The construction of all three towers at Ikumwe, Nakabolelwa, and Mutikila was 100% completed around October last year, and all three towers at these villages were 100% ready for deployment by the interested operators as of the end of October last year,” he added.
He said that the process of setting up network towers involves consultations with all operators, including mobile network providers, radio stations, and internet service providers.
“PowerCom maintains consistent communication with mobile operators before projects start, during and after the completion of the project,” he said.
On Thursday, the Zambezi Regional Council engaged MTC, Telecom, NORED, and other stakeholders to address poor telecommunications network connectivity in the region.
