WINDHOEK - Companies contracted to build houses by the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) for the mass housing development programme say construction is continuing uninterrupted, amidst rumours that government had put the programme on hold. The housing ministry has also denied fervent media reports that government had called off the mass housing initiative.
Fanning the false media reports were speculation that Pupkewitz MegaBuild had cancelled credit lines with contractors. Pupkewitz MegaBuild told New Era yesterday that the suspension of credit lines was only for 24 hours to arrange security arrangements with NHE, but all credit lines to contractors were open.
“I introduced it and I will pronounce whether it is on hold or not. Whatever was reported is not true, nothing was stopped neither put on ice. Mass housing is not going [away],” Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, Major-General (Rtd) Charles Namoloh told New Era this week. Namoloh accused those who claimed that the programme had been stopped of harbouring their own agenda.
When asked to comment on allegations that government does not want to fund the project, Namoloh said: “The budget was just passed last month, where were we supposed to get the money from? That is why it was budgeted for in this financial year.”
Pro Housing CC, which has been contracted to build 80 houses in Henties Bay, yesterday said they “got no information” stating the project was stopped, therefore construction was continuing. “I have spoken to NHE because I had to explain to my material supplier what was going on. But construction is on-going and I am honouring my agreement with NHE and my supplier,” said the company’s manager Paul Ockhuizen.
Francis Sikumba, whose company Caprivi Building Constructors CC was tasked with building 279 houses in Bukalo, said he was not concerned with what was said in the newspapers. “Everything is under control, for now we do not have any problems with the programme, maybe in future,” he said.
Onjanja Construction and Jiangsu Zhengtai JV member, Joe Fan, said construction “is in full swing”. The company was awarded a contract to build 267 houses in Karasburg.
Anker Bay Construction company that will construct 351 houses in Otavi said it was yet to start with actual construction work as the Otavi Town Council was still servicing plots. The company’s manager Reinhold Gowaseb said they would have a meeting with the NHE to discuss several issues surrounding the building programme, such as the rumours of it being put on hold.
Guinas Investment owner Muetulamba Shingenge-Haipinge said work on site was continuing, adding she was not fazed by reports that the programme was put on hold. Her company is constructing 189 houses in Opuwo.
“The construction is going well. NHE called us yesterday to inform us that we can apply to claim our money for work done so far. So all I can tell you is that we are working,” she said.
Pupkewitz Holdings spokesperson, Mauriza Fredericks, said the credit lines to some NHE building contractors were temporarily suspended, pending establishing certain security arrangements that Pupkewitz MegaBuild has been putting in place with the NHE. “However, I am pleased to inform you that these lines of credit were all re-established within 24 hours, once the arrangements were established,” said Fredericks.
She noted that as in the case with any project being rendered responsibly, Pupkewitz MegaBuild has to ensure it “mitigates any risks by taking into account various instruments of security. The company therefore made certain proposals to NHE for the mass housing project – a normal business practice, which was favourably accepted.”
By Mathias Haufiku and Edgar Brandt
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