Katima Mulilo – The Zambezi regional council is constructing a new office complex at a cost of N$90 million. The office complex, which would also house other government institutions in the region, is expected to be completed in 2016. The construction is funded through the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development. A ground breaking ceremony for the construction took place this week on a plot sandwiched between the Zambezi Waterfront and the newoffices of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. “For the past 23 years of independence, the Zambezi regional council was housed in dilapidated offices. We have been begging from countries abroad and the government for the construction of new offices and at long last our prayers were heard,” said Zambezi regional governor Lawrence Sampofu.
Sampofu said the image of the town will be transformed after the completion of the office complex, adding that accessibility and better service delivery are likely to improve given the fact that an area adjacent to the envisaged construction site is also earmarked for the development of a shopping mall and town council offices. “With the coming of the Kavango Zambezi Trans-Frontier Conservation Area (KAZA-TFCA), the completion of the Zambezi Waterfront and the Katima Mulilo town council offices and the already completed offices of the ministry of fisheries, the image of this area is going to change for the better. It will look attractive and accessible to those who need services. We will make sure that our services are made accessible,” promised Sampofu.
He also appealed to the contractors to ensure coordination so that both parties are on par with the specifications of the office buildings. “The line ministry and the contractor need to coordinate their work so that mistakes are discovered and rectified on time. The contractor should be in constant contact with the chief regional officer for any rectifications,” according to the Zambezi governor. The chief regional officer, Regina Ndopu Lubinda, said the multi-million dollar office complex is expected to be completed in 2016. “The government office park will not only accommodate the regional council but several offices.
The office of the governor, the regional council, the directorate of education and the ministry of lands will also be here. By 2016 when the office park is constructed, about 5 directorates will be here, an auditorium for 200 people, as well as a wellness centre,” said Ndopu Lubinda. According to Lubinda given the strategic location of Katima Mulilo as a getaway to many southern African (SADC) countries, every effort is being made to enhance the image of the office complex. “Our building should be symbolic because we are a border town. It should symbolise the quality of offices within the country,” said Ndopu Lubinda. The main contractor on the project is a Namibian-based company Howard and Chamberlain.
By George Sanzila