Isabel Bento 

SWAKOPMUND – Three housing federations have united under the newly-formed FIBANA Coastal United Federation with the aim to address the housing crisis affecting fishermen and backyard tenants association in the Erongo region.

At a recent media briefing, FIBANA secretary general Immanuel Festus highlighted that the federation consists of three groups; Fishermen’s Association, Backyard Shack Association and Nalitungwe Community Saving Foundation (FIBANA).

“This umbrella, which currently has 3 569 registered members, was established to assist the three housing federations in sourcing funds, facilitating land servicing, and constructing houses. It will ensure adherence to local authority regulations while addressing any issues that arise during the process,” he noted.

The federation which was established in October 2024, was conditionally allocated portions of land at Farm 37 (Portions 12, 18, and 19) by Walvis Bay Municipality in July 2023.

Conditions for this allocation included formal registration, town planning, land purchase, and servicing, all at their own cost and risk.

“Through our own individual struggles as housing federations, we found ourselves crossing paths at the doors of offices such as that of the governor’s. It was during an engagement between that office and Nalitungwe Community Saving Foundation, that the Backyard Tenants Group was called in to assist with the processes, that the idea to come together and establish an umbrella body was born,” Festus stated.

The group aimed to construct 1 884 houses over four years, starting in 2025, in four phases; with 250 houses envisioned for the first phase, 521 521 and 592 for the second till the fourth phases, respectively.

Festus said the remaining 1 685 members of FIBANA not included in the initial plan, will eventually be catered for after the federation’s four-year plan depending on the availability of funds.

The federation’s chairperson Mathias Ndeulita said they will rely on partnerships with the private sector, government and international communities to realise its vision.

There is currently a housing backlog of over 35 000 in the Erongo region.

Personal Assistant to the Governor of Erongo, Michael Jimmy commended the group for its initiative and welcomed its efforts.

“This group consists of result-driven individuals and we did not hesitate to join their efforts when they approached the office, because they are indeed running a good cause,” he said. -Nampa