The construction of the new American embassy in Windhoek has seen about two thousand Namibians employed at various stages.

The new building has been completed after three years.

The newly built US Embassy campus offers an attractive sight with its unique materials, such as land stone and light-coloured limestone, and the landscape design further complements the overall look with four thousand indigenous plants and trees.

Construction provided an opportunity to grow the country's local economy by creating jobs and procuring goods and services from more than 50 companies.

During construction, over N$300 million was injected into the local economy.

However, the size of the building had been a subject of controversy and speculation.

But US Ambassador to Namibia, Randy Berry, says operations at the new premises remain the same, explaining that the capacity of the new building provides for better coordination of activities.

''Our operational capacity priorities are to work on public health, inclusive democracy, and improved economic systems, which will remain exactly the same; that's what's going to happen.
It's a big facility. It's a big undertaking for us. We have every interest in welcoming people and sharing it with them, so I certainly look forward to the opportunity to do that.''

Solar power will also make up 50 percent of the electricity supply.

Skills transfer was another aspect practiced during construction for possible onward construction employment opportunities.

The new building, housing the US Embassy in Namibia,  will officially open, next Thursday, 7 December.

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nbc Digital News

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Celma Ndhikwa