Martin Endjala
Erastus Uutoni, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, has issued a call to action for non-governmental organizations, associations, universities, and banks to join forces with the government in the endeavour to provide low-cost housing and affordable land to the people of Namibia.
The call was made during the groundbreaking ceremony of a land delivery project, funded by the Mobile Telecommunication Company (MTC) in Okakarara, with a total investment of N$23.6 million to service 707 plots.
Uutoni stressed that “low-cost housing” does not equate to “low-quality housing.” Instead, it signifies housing that aligns with the needs, preferences, and culture of the people who will inhabit it.
He stressed that achieving this goal necessitates strategic collaboration with various stakeholders since the government alone cannot address the housing backlog in the country.
He said that it requires the collective efforts of multiple sectors to realize the government’s mission of ensuring that every Namibian has a place they can call home.
Moreover, Uutoni dispelled the misconception that low-cost houses are synonymous with low quality. He assured that the materials used in these homes are not only cost-effective but also of high quality, on par with any other residence.
He encouraged the future beneficiaries of the project to play their part by maintaining their homes and paying their rates and taxes, enabling local authorities to expand similar initiatives to other regions.
During the same event, James Uerikua, the governor of the Otjozondjupa region, lauded the project as a concrete manifestation of the government’s strategy for public-public-private partnerships, reflecting the government’s commitment to addressing housing shortages.
He urged community members to refrain from land grabbing, emphasizing that the land provided is not yet serviced. The project primarily targets the low-middle-income group, aligning with the government’s goal of land and housing delivery.
Tim Ekandjo, Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer of MTC reiterated the significance of land delivery for every Namibian and stressed MTC’s unwavering commitment to collaborating with various stakeholders to make land accessible for all Namibians seeking homeownership.
He also urged leaders across the country to keep politics out of service delivery, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the common goal of providing land and housing solutions.
Furthermore, Ekandjo called on commercial banks to partner in assisting individuals with land to construct their homes.
He stressed the need for tailored financial packages that align with the community’s needs, emphasizing that Namibia cannot afford a situation where owners of low-cost houses valued at N$300,000 are unable to build on their land, urging banks to find ways to meet the community halfway.
