Query: How many applications for erven were submitted to local authorities across the countrywide over the past 25 years?
The Ministry of Urban and Rural Development – as the line ministry for all local authorities in Namibia – is now in the process of collecting data pertaining to land applications in order to create a reliable national database. In addressing this issue, the ministry has acquired an Urban Land Information Management System that is currently being piloted in 10 local authorities, namely Walvis Bay, Keetmanshoop, Otjiwarongo, Tsumeb, Okahandja, Oshakati, Helao Nafindi, Outapi, Rundu and Katima Mulilo. The ministry is now embarking on the rollout phase for the remaining local authorities.
Once this exercise is complete, accurate urban land information will be easily accessible. The aim of acquiring the system is to keep all urban land-related data in one database, with a backup, as well as to enable the updating of information as soon as the local authorities receive new applications.
Query: How many of these applicants benefited under the Build Together and Shack Dwellers schemes?
The number of housing units built with own funds (repayments and other sources of funding) are 1759, constructed at a cost of N$33 184 057.57. Additionally, the housing units constructed with funds from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development are 1136 houses, constructed at a cost of N$23 129 000. The number of housing units constructed through the Decentralised Build Together Programme and funds channeled through Twahangana Fund are 842 houses, at a cost of N$16 475 275.56.
There are also 97 houses at a cost of N$1 720 699.01, that were constructed for pensioners, people with disabilities and people with illness. This programme is incremental and through it members can be assisted to extend their houses. The number of members who extended their houses through this programme were 124 at a cost of N$1 269 711.83. The total number of houses constructed were 3 958, costing N$77 778 774.13
Query: What measures will you take to ensure that these applicants are attended to alongside the processes to accommodate AR applicants?
The government has embarked upon the Massive Urban Land Servicing project to accelerate land delivery. This initiative is meant for all those in need of land, including AR applicants. It is our wish that the need for land be treated as a national concern. Means to address these issues are in the pipeline for each and every Namibian, as AR is part and parcel of the Namibian nation.
Query: When will applicants get feedback on the status of their applications?
We have national government structures, specifically our local authorities that are tasked with the administration of land within their areas of jurisdiction. Councillors and administrative officials head these entities. It is within their mandate to ensure that applicants are informed on the status of their applicants as part of good governance and local authorities are making it a priority to always communicate with the applicants within a specified time.
Query: What measures will the ministry take to finalise the implementation of the ‘’Rukoro Report of 1992’’, as Rehoboth Town Council has over the past 23 years failed to adhere to the Cabinet Decision of 1992.
On various occasions, the ministry has engaged the Rehoboth Town Council on the implementation of the Rukoro Report and for the effective implementation thereof. The ministry and Rehoboth Town Council need to ensure that the intended beneficiaries are the ones allocated erven, depending on the availability of land. The ministry will first embark on a verification process and set up a team to start working on this issue.
Mbatjavi D Kahuure-Hardley, Chief Liaison Officer, Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, E-mail Address: m.kahuure@mrlgh.gov.na