Accra:Windhoek The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) has launched an initiative to revive the Zambezi Waterfront project, which has been inactive for 17 years despite receiving over N$200 million in public funding.

According to NAMPA, Environment, Forestry and Tourism Minister Indileni Daniel announced the revival plans during a one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Dr. Elijah Ngurare. The Ministry has dispatched a technical team from Windhoek to the Zambezi Region to conduct a detailed on-site assessment. This assessment aims to identify the structural and financial interventions needed to rejuvenate the project.

The project, originally intended to boost regional tourism and stimulate economic activity, has been dormant, prompting calls for strict accountability and effective coordination among stakeholders. Prime Minister Ngurare, who is aware of the project's history, supports the revival but stresses the importance of proper management of public funds. He emphasized the need for government investments to produce results promptly, warning against delays that result in idle state assets.

The Zambezi Region is set to host the 2027 Miss Teen Namibia and Miss Namibia beauty pageants, and the Zambezi Waterfront could serve as a venue for associated activities. The site spans over 20 hectares and includes conference facilities, bungalows, camping sites, and other infrastructure that require refurbishment to meet modern standards.