Talatona – Kilamba is part of the urban districts of Luanda promoted to municipality in the new political-administrative division of Angola, taking as its headquarters the residential cluster of the same name, now detached from the municipality of Belas.
By Gizelaide Bandeira, journalist at ANGOP
Conceived 13 years ago to provide a dignified life for its inhabitants, the pioneering residential cluster of Kilamba is today one of the leading urbanizations in terms of non-compliance with contractual obligations by its occupants.
In this compound of residences acquired under the Government's housing development program, the accumulation of liabilities ranges from rent-to-own to energy and water consumption, through condominium fees, a situation aggravated by persistent acts of vandalism that have caused considerable damage to the State.
The impact of the latter evil is most noticeable in the portfolio of public investments when it comes to redirecting resources allocated to the satisfaction of other pressing collective needs such as the supply of energy and water.
The misuse of irrigation points, which are being exploited by gardeners for the illegal water trade, the constant assaults on apartments and vehicles and the inoperability of traffic lights, except for the few that still work, are among the problems that citizens hope to see solved by the first municipal administrator of the district.
The construction of Kilamba as a city brought with it the emergence of many neighborhoods, previously agricultural areas, formed by nationals from all over Angola, such as Bitas, Progresso, Cinco Fios, Povoado Kimbele, Vila Flor and others.
The emergence of these neighbourhoods has caused several difficulties in the areas of basic sanitation, the supply of electricity and drinking water, public safety, education and health services and commercial infrastructure.
With the rise of Kilamba to the category of municipality, the desire of the population was expressed in the conversation held with some citizens, within the scope of the 449 years of existence of the city of Luanda, celebrated this Saturday, January 25.
The coordinator of the Vila Flor neighborhood, Ramiro de Almeida, who recognizes some pregress in the social domain, says that there is still much to be done, for the improvement and quality of life of the community.
He said the socio-economic situation experienced by the neighboring inhabitants of one of the largest centralities in Angola was terrible, with emphasis on the few infrastructures, lack of electricity and a program to create drainage ditches.
According to Ramiro de Almeida, despite some interventions with the municipal authorities, the requests for the construction of a health center, a police station, schools and daycare centers have not yet been met.
'We want more housing infrastructure and schools. We have appealed to those who have the right to have our requests met'.
The improvement of the state of the roads is the desire of Domingos João, a resident and motorcycle taxi driver who finds it difficult to navigate the streets of that district.
Who shares the same opinion is Pascoal Braga, member of the Residents' Commission, sector-3, block A, who asked for urgency in earthmoving interventions and recovery of ravines in his sector.
The hope that the city will become a fairer and safer place for its inhabitants is expressed by resident Nelson Fernandes, who believes in the work of police forces focused on ending crime in the area.
The city of Kilamba, with more than 20,000 homes spread over 710 buildings completed in the first phase, was detached from the municipality of Belas in light of the new political-administrative division in force in the country. GIZ/MAG/IZ/DOJ.
