Firm to build 214 houses for workersThe company has appointed Oshipe Turnkey Projects to construct over 200 affordable houses for its staff. New affordable housing for staff Walvis Bay-based Elgin Brown and Hamer Namibia (EBHN) say it will construct 214 affordable houses for its workers at the harbour town. EBHN yesterday announced the appointment of Oshipe Turnkey Projects as developer of the housing project. Oshipe is currently finalising the design drawings for Walvis Bay municipal approval and will construct 214 houses on 10 hectares of undeveloped land located in the vicinity of Tutaleni suburb in Kuisebmond.
In terms of the agreement Oshipe will recover the costs from the sale of the houses to EBHN employees exclusively. Employees who qualify for a house via the initiative will receive an equivalent financial benefit due to the fact that EBHN will donate the virgin land free of charge. Those who take the option will be able to purchase houses directly from the developer with assistance of bank-approved loans. An EBHN housing committee was established to facilitate the process.
The company purchased the land with a commercial value of approximately N$8 million. The construction phase of the N$110 million project will commence early 2017 after the provision of infrastructure and services at a cost of N$21 million.
It is expected to be completed within the space of 25 months. Approximately 300 local construction workers will be employed. EBHN employees who previously did not enjoy access to affordable housing (first time homeowners) will have first option in the allocation of the one, two and three bedroom residential units which will cost between N$340 000 and N$650 000. The developer will construct a basic house and owners will be able expand and to request add-ons.
“Economic activity grew rapidly and placed considerable pressure on the availability of housing in Walvis Bay,” said EBHN CEO Hannes Uys. “By providing access to affordable housing EBHN is demonstrating a strong commitment to the empowerment and wellbeing of our employees and their families. We have gone to great lengths to lock in optimal affordability through the purchase and donation of the land and by ensuring the project went out on public interest tender.”
He pointed out that the company has set the benchmark in Namibia for a robust and rigorous tendering process and expressed the hope that other companies will follow the model and ethos for future housing tenders.
The final round of evaluations was conducted in August 2015. Four shortlisted candidates presented their proposals to the housing committee in September 2015 and Oshipe Turnkey Projects were subsequently awarded the project.
Following a period of cost negotiation with the emphasis on ensuring affordability a revised tender process was successfully completed.
“We are the first company to embark on a project of such nature, will not gain any financial profit from the initiative and will see it through from its beginning to the end. The ability of the contractor to lock the price was a determining factor and required negotiation. Other companies build and own houses they provide. Once completed the houses being constructed will be handed over to employees who will be the owners.”
More than 214 employees of the 360 workers who do not own their own homes applied for the houses to be constructed.
The initiative which is an embodiment of the government''s philosophy of fostering public private partnerships has been well received by the Namibian Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Derek Klazen who praised its uniqueness and said he will monitor the project with interest.
OTIS FINCK