The Minister of Labour, Industrial Relations, and Employment Creation, Utoni Nujoma, urged the government to act in the best interests of workers by providing affordable housing and improving working conditions and wages.

Nujoma said this during the Walvis Bay Seafers United Land and Housing Federation's launch of its Fishermen Village and Investment Trust at the weekend in Walvis Bay.

In response to the Namibian government's efforts to reduce the housing backlog, the federation purchased and developed land in Walvis Bay for the eventual construction of low-cost houses for fishermen and their families.

The federation raised a total of N$352,000 at the gala dinner, of which N$200,000 has already been received and N$152,000 is still expected. Minister Uutoni Nujoma himself pledged his contribution to the cause. 

Utoni pointed out that the lack of decent housing is a national concern, needing strategic interventions.

The funds will be used for the final submission for the approval of the town plan establishment layout, to initiate the process of attaining the environmental clearance certificate, and for the submission of the application to the Urban and Regional Planning Board for the final subdivision layout design of the township.