Close to 2,000 residents at Karibib have become plot owners at the Usab Informal Settlement after the town council handed over their land ownership certificates.
In 1996, the Namibia Action Housing Group and Shack Dwellers Federation signed an agreement with the Karibib Town Council to improve the Usab Informal Settlement.
During phase 1, community members raised money to survey the land and relocate people for the creation of streets.
The second phase, which is the installation of services, was provided by a local company, Tweya, at no cost.
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development also donated N$5 million.
Karibib Mayor Davey van Wyk said the town council and other stakeholders have subsidised the erven for residents to afford.
"It costs plus or minus N$48,000 to service one erf in Karibib because of the hard rock we have in this town, but the erven are available to the community for N$1,900; so, almost N$46,000 that the government and the stakeholders have to invest in order to bring that erf to you. If you don't want the erf, if you are not staying at the erf, we will revoke this erf. We don't want people staying somewhere else, and then you want to rent out the erf here."
Representing President Nangolo Mbumba, Fisheries and Marine Resources Minister Derek Klazen commended the Karibib Town Council for creating smart partnerships with the community and private sector.
"The allocation of provisional ownership certificates will afford the beneficiaries a sense of ownership and guarantee that they will not be evicted from the land they are occupying legally. This process also commences our commitment to address the issue of decongestion of informal settlements to provide housing to our citizens. We will continue with this strategy."
Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele, said, "We implore the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform to expedite the flexible land tenure process in order for us to improve housing conditions for our people and ensure every citizen can live with dignity."
There is water available to all Usab residents, while the sewer installation project is at 40%. The electrification of the first 130 houses will begin soon.