Rapid urbanisation has become a big challenge for local authorities in the Erongo Region, putting a strain on their budgets, as they are unable to keep up with the pace of population growth.
To date, the region is faced with a housing backlog of over 40 000 houses, with close to 17 000 houses in Swakopmund and 20 000 houses in Walvis Bay, which are the region’s biggest towns.
According to Erongo Governor, Neville Andre Itope, during his State of the Region Address held at Swakopmund on Friday, the Swakopmund Municipality, through their various housing models, has constructed a total number of 1381 houses during the 2021/2022 financial year.
A further 127 houses are earmarked to be constructed in Swakopmund during the 2022/2023 financial year.
“In terms of land servicing, the Swakopmund Municipality is in the process of servicing land for housing development in the DRC Extension 31, which is nearing completion,” the governor revealed.
To ensure hygiene and sanitation, the Swakopmund Municipality has also provided approximately 90 mobile toilets to the DRC Settlement, which are cleaned on a daily basis and disinfected monthly.
According to the governor, the Walvis Bay Municipality will invite the private sector, through the expression of interest, to service three blocks in Narraville, that will yield about 610 erven in the next financial year.
The private sector will also service 6 blocks to make about 1344 erven available to the public. The Municipality of Walvis Bay will also assist the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia to serviced 237 erven in Narraville.
“It is further important to note that there are three extensions, of which a survey is ongoing and nine extensions are awaiting urban and regional boards’ approval at the town.
The governor noted that through these exercises, the Walvis Bay Municipality will make 7143 erven available to the public.
“The municipality further plans to relocate people from the overcrowded areas through its decongestion strategy, to portion 10 of Farm 37 as soon as all communal services have been provided, as only electrical services are outstanding, for which a tender will soon be advertised,” he added.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
