Excavation work delays fresh produce hub The construction of the Windhoek Fresh Produce Hub is progressing at a snail''s pace owing to hard rock excavations encountered on-site. This is according to agriculture ministry spokesperson Margaret Kalo who updated Namibian Sun on work done to date.
“The progress is slow and the contractors are behind schedule. The contractors applied for an extension to complete the earthworks in December this year, due to hard rock excavations encountered,” Kalo stated.
Kalo could not give an indication when actual construction would start, merely stating: “The contractors contracted to construct the Windhoek Fresh Hub project, Uundenge Investment, in joint venture with China Zhengtai, are busy with earthworks, and actual construction will only start after the earthworks have been completed.
In March 2015, agriculture minister John Mutorwa, stated that the construction of the Windhoek Fresh Produce Business Hub was progressing very well with completion expected in less than three years. Mutorwa made the announcement during the launch of the Agro Marketing and Trading Agency''s strategic plan of 2014 to 2019.
Upon completion, the hub will be the biggest of the Agro Marketing and Trading Agency''s bulk storage facilities. The Windhoek hub will be twice the size of the existing hub at Ongwediva which already measures at a staggering 10 000m3.
Cabinet in 2004 approved a programme of investment and promotion for increased food production through irrigation, which led to the establishment of the Green Scheme programme implemented in 2008.
OGONE TLHAGE