WINDHOEK – The community consultation process to solicit inputs for Mariental’s future structural plan has been completed and will soon be submitted to the Minister of Regional, Local Government and Housing, Charles Namoloh, for final approval.
The town’s Chief Executive Officer, Paul Nghiwilepo, confirmed this, saying the new structural plan means that all future developments at the town will be carried out according to the stipulations and directives contained in the plan. He said apart from minor adjustments, no serious resistance or complaints were encountered during the community consultation process. Nghiwilepo, who was seconded by the Ministry of Regional, Local Government and Housing, to assist in the setting up of town structures for the diamond town of Oranjemund for a few months, is now back at Mariental to take the town to the next level as development at Mariental continues to boom. Nghiwilepo confirmed that the construction of the new Woermann Brock and Shoprite complexes are well underway and that they are scheduled to be completed within a year. It is anticipated that both complexes will house several smaller retail outlets, which could help alleviate the high unemployment rate at the town.
Construction of the new industrial park of the Namibia Development Corporation (NDC) is also at an advanced stage, while the well-known retail outlet, Ackermans, also opened its doors for business recently. Nghiwilepo however expressed dismay over the fact that all the construction work currently taking place at Mariental is being carried out by Chinese companies. “I fail to comprehend as to how only Chinese companies are contracted to do work on major projects,” he said.
By Hoandi !Gaeb