Shaningwa lauds Oshakati

Shaningwa lauds OshakatiChallenges Windhoek to deliver serviced land Oshakati is setting a good example in the delivery of serviced residential plots, Minister Sophia Shaningwa says. The minister of urban and rural development, Sophia Shaningwa, has urged local authorities to emulate the Oshakati town council and learn from its land servicing strategy.

According to Shaningwa, this would help to solve the national housing backlog, which currently stands at 300 000 units.

Shaningwa praised the Oshakati council, saying its distribution of serviced land and affordable housing was the best in the country.

The minister yesterday handed over 141 houses at Ekuku constructed under a public-private partnership.

She also used the occasion to launch the construction of 600 low-cost houses at Ekuku.

“I am delighted to note that the Oshakati town council is one of the leading local authorities which provide serviced urban land and affordable houses for the people,” she said.

“I wish to congratulate the town council on a job well done. In the same vein, I call upon other local authorities to emulate the good example of Oshakati town council to increase the supply of serviced urban land at an affordable price.”

Shaningwa singled out the City of Windhoek, complaining that the demand for housing in the capital was very high, but the municipality was not delivering.

“I must therefore express my disappointment that the City of Windhoek is not doing the same. Windhoek is the capital city, where the demand for residential land and affordable housing is high. Come 2017, I want to see dust in the air in Windhoek,” she said.

Shaningwa challenged Windhoek mayor Muesee Kazapua to emulate Oshakati's land distribution model.

The Oshakati council entered into a public-private partnership arrangement with three local property developers in 2015 to construct 141 affordable houses. According to the mayor, Angelus Iiyambo, they are satisfied with the services provided by KA Developers, Fysal Development Company Pty Ltd and Oshana Econo Blocks.

The houses were built between June 2015 and June this year. Most of the beneficiaries are already occupying their houses.

“The population is increasing each and every year and due to urbanisation it requires urgent strategies to keep up with service and land delivery to residents,” Iiyambo said.

The houses are valued between N$360 000 and N$700 000.

One of the beneficiaries, 39-year-old Simson Taapopi, said he applied for land in 2004 and was very happy when he received a call from the town council informing him that his application was successful.

“Before I used to stay at a village in Omusati Region and now I am happy that I own a house in town where I can house my family,” said Taapopi, who is police officer.

ILENI NANDJATO