Okakarara: The Minister of Urban and Rural Development, James Sankwasa, on Thursday handed over 52 newly constructed houses to residents of Okakarara town. The houses were constructed in partnership with the Okakarara Town Council and National Housing Enterprise (NHE).
According to Namibia Press Agency, Sankwasa unveiled the new houses in the Otjozondjupa Region in the presence of local authority councillors, traditional leaders, and NHE officials. The minister highlighted a backlog estimated at 300,000 housing units that still challenges the country. He emphasized the need to achieve a target of 10,000 new houses annually over the next five years to address the issue.
Sankwasa stated that NHE has been directed to construct 2,000 new houses by the end of March 2026. He urged local authority councils to identify land and collaborate with development institutions to build sufficient houses for everyone in need. He also expressed gratitude to the Okakarara Town Council for allocating the land where these houses were built.
NHE Deputy Chairperson, Hasting Tjipueja, mentioned that the construction of the 52 houses in Okakarara began in October 2024 and concluded in July 2025, costing over N.dollars 12.5 million. The houses, which range from one to three bedrooms and include a kitchen, living room, toilet, and shower, are being sold for between N.dollars 250,000 and N.dollars 540,000 on a 450 square meter plot of land.
Tjipueja also noted that NHE had previously constructed 40 houses in the town in 2021, bringing the total to 92 new houses. NHE Chief Executive Officer, Gisbertus Mukulu, assured continued cooperation in land development with various local authorities willing to provide land for residential purposes.
Representing the beneficiaries, Evaristo Kavikairiuoa shared that the owners of the new houses have already moved in and are thrilled to have a place to call home. "We are excited and for that we are here to celebrate ownership of these decent houses for us and our families," he said.
The event was attended by Otjozondjupa Governor, Julius ||Khamuseb, Chief Sam Kambazembi, and constituency councillor Ramana Mutjavikua.