Although the construction industry is the largest beneficiary of the development budget for Khomas Region, Windhoek cyclists will be pleased to know that part of the plans of the Ministry of Works and Transport’s development budget for the region is to erect proper roads for non-motorised mobiles. The ministry has set aside more than N$5 million for this year alone for the development of non-motorised infrastructure.
A passenger commuter train for Windhoek residents is also another budget consideration of the Department of Transport for this year. The transport department says it will conduct a feasibility study for a passenger train service between Windhoek Central and Katutura, as well as to other suburbs in Windhoek. The commuter train is envisaged to cover a 40km network.
The other consideration under the more than N$500 million development budget of the transport department will look at upgrading the railway network and doing a feasibility study for a commuter train service between Windhoek and Hosea Kutako International Airport, between Windhoek and Rehoboth, and between Windhoek and Okahandja.
Nevertheless, the construction industry would get the lion’s share of the N$2.734 billion budgeted for development in Khomas Region. Construction activities include a second building for the Office of the Prime Minister, improving state security infrastructure, the new parliament building, police facilities, including a police station at Ombili at Babylon informal settlement, and police accommodation facilities.
There is also the construction of Acacia Secondary School, the Otjomuise Secondary School, the Havana Primary School, and upgrading and renovation of various ministerial buildings.
A significant investment is the establishment of a second power supply point for the City of Windhoek at a cost of N$72.5 million by the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development. Also to address the water shortage is the N$13 million investment by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry in the artificial recharge of the Windhoek aquifer.
The Ministry of Land Reform has budgeted more than N$100 million for land purchase as well as N$5 million for flexible land tenure.