WINDHOEK: Mobile Telecommunications Limited (MTC) in conjunction with Development Workshop Namibia, will service 707 low-income plots in Okakarara through its corporate social investment.
The project in Okakarara now has two extensions in the works; Okakarara Extension 7, which consists of 294 plots at a cost of N.dollars 59 636 each with water, sewer and electricity, and Hamakari Extension 2, which consists of 413 plots at a cost of N.dollars 14 602 per plot with water.
This equates to 707 plots for low-income individuals in the town of Otjozondjupa.
With the affordability of owning residential housing remaining a source of dispute nationally, and despite expanding national urbanisation difficulties, low-cost housing remains the only way for Namibians to realise their goals of owning adequate housing in their lifetime.
Speaking at the ground-breaking ceremony on Wednesday, Minister of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni praised the Okakarara Town Council for collaborating with Development Workshop Namibia to address the housing problem, while noting that the national demand for housing continues to rise.
“Housing is not just a roof over our heads. It is the basis of our stability and security, the centre of our social and emotional lives, and a place to live in peace, dignity and freedom. Housing is a human right, not a commodity. However, this right is denied to many people who live in poverty, in slums, in informal settlements, or on the streets. They face constant threats of eviction, discrimination, violence and lack of access to basic services and opportunities. They are deprived of their dignity and their potential as human beings,” said Uutoni, adding that this reality is unacceptable and unjust.
MTC Chief Human Capital, Corporate Affairs and Marketing Officer Tim Ekandjo complimented Development Workshop for its work in ensuring Namibians can afford housing, urging banking institutions to meet with low-income earners to help them realise their home goals.
“This programme now gives Namibians an opportunity to own a plot with a cost as little at N.dollars 10 000 to N.dollars 40 000. Now it is up to the banks and other financial institutions to make it possible for these plot owners to build their homes on their plots. They should have packages tailored for low-income earners to be able to get financial assistance to build their houses on these plots,” said Ekandjo.
Development Workshop Acting Country Manager Ester Veiko echoed the same sentiments saying, “The objective of the programme is to assist local authorities in planning and servicing land at a cost affordable to low-income earners. The programme is for urban residents who cannot afford a house at a cost of N.dollars 300 000 and above,” she said.
Source: The Namibia Press Agency