Walvis land wish granted

Walvis land wish grantedGreen Valley township to be developed The Walvis Bay town council has been given the go-ahead to establish a new township on Farm 37 south of the harbour town. The Namibia Planning Advisory Board (Nampab) has finally granted ownership of Farm 37 to the municipality of Walvis Bay.

Erongo governor Cleophas Mutjavikua confirmed this and called for an innovative approach with regard to the development of the area on the outskirts of Walvis Bay to ensure that no shacks would be erected there.

“A solution for land issue and housing problem is in sight and bureaucratic processes will not prevent us from proceeding.

“The establishment of a township normally requires the completion of many motions that need to be passed and involves various departments.

“If lucky the normal process would have been completed only after three or even more years. Fortunately the process was fast-tracked for us and completed in record time.

“The next stage involves the design and approval of the envisioned Green Valley suburb by the Township Board,” Mutjavikua said.

An initial application for ownership of the land was turned down by NAMPAB in 2016 because the municipality had not consulted with the community on the subject with the issuing of an Environmental Clearance Certificate pending.

The municipality subsequently conducted a public meeting at the beginning of the year and obtained consent from the community to proceed with the application for land.

The virgin land located on the southern perimeter of the harbour town is earmarked for the establishment of a township called Green Valley.

The municipality intends to relocate more than 65 000 landless people to the new township in an effort to reduce the housing backlog as well as the number of backyard shacks in Walvis Bay.

Mutjavikua reiterated that the council would not allow the area to be turned into another shantytown and said proper houses would be built.

“The municipality acquired a brick-making machine a year ago and will explore many other means to ensure community involvement with regard to the development of Farm 37.

“Some companies pledged cement. We hope the council will provide the sand and water needed for construction purposes.

“We have to make bricks and the construction of proper brick houses will be a collective effort involving the recipients and the council.”

He said the development programme at Farm 37 would be different from any previously implemented ones.

“It will not be a Build Together Programme but rather one of let's build together. We have to create/provide essential services since we cannot relocate people to the area without such.

“In the villages houses are constructed by the villagers themselves. Instead of employing expensive contractors beneficiaries will provide labour and cut costs.”

Mayor Immanuel Wilfred also confirmed that the council had made considerable progress with regard to the acquisition of Farm 37.

“We are now working on the final touches to ensure people have houses. Nampab chairperson Danny Beukes informed me that the last council resolution was the only outstanding document and we provided it.

“Once I receive a formal letter with guidelines from Minister Sophia Shaningwa, I will know for sure that we are in the clear and can proceed with the development of Farm 37. The allocation of plots will be done strictly according to the official waiting list,” Wilfred said.

OTIS FINCK