The Namibia Housing Enterprise (NHE) is set to construct over 90 houses at Kalkfeld Settlement in the Otjozondjupa Region.
NHE Chief Executive Officer Gisbertus Mukulu said the construction of low-cost houses is part of the Informal Settlement Upgrading Project.
Mukulu further explained that the housing unit designs will replicate the concept that NHE implemented in Windhoek, which are tailor-made for lower-income individuals to plan and complete at their own time and cost.
"We will commence with the construction of bulk services, namely the water, the sewer and the electrical reticulation for the construction of about 93 houses. This project will cater for the ultra-low- and low-income categories under the informal settlement upgrading project, which is, of course, a flagship project of our line ministry of which NHE is a party to. We are the implementers; it was piloted in Windhoek."
Mukulu called on the contractor to deliver the units within the agreed period, as the housing demand at the settlement has to be satisfied.
"We need to make sure that this project is successfully implemented. Therefore, I call upon the contractor who is awarded this contract to make sure that at least you implement this project successfully so that next time if we are to consider you, you will have positive recommendations on your part."
Otjozondjupa Regional Council Chairperson, Johannes Haufiku, also spoke at the occasion.
"We thank the NHE for this partnership, which will go a long way in ensuring we provide access to houses to the residents of Kalkfeld."
Councillor of the Otjiwarongo Constituency Nekundi Paulus also commended the government for delivering on its promises.
“We should complement the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Namibia for providing housing and, not only housing, also affordable housing to the community and indeed the least of the disadvantaged people, especially here at Kalkfeld.”
The groundbreaking follows a memorandum of understanding between the regional council and NHE to complement similar projects by the Shack Dweller's Federation and Build Together.