LÜDERITZ - Lüderitz mayor Benjamin McKay optimistically declared that the southern coastal town is going to experience a phenomenal revival as a future economic hub of Namibia.

“President Hage Geingob declared 2023 as the Year of Revival, and indeed Lüderitz has become a token of that declaration,” he told the audience during his welcoming remarks at a packed stakeholders’ meeting at the town on Friday.  

President Geingob officially opened the Green Hydrogen Stakeholders’ Consultation meeting here, which was attended by government, business and community leaders.

He emphasised that it is a significant project which should be inclusive and benefit the residents of the //Kharas region. Geingob also praised the harmony at the event, and urged all stakeholders to hold hands and pull in the same direction.

“Inclusivity is pivotal in our socio-economic endeavours. Good projects that can create jobs should not be destroyed. Let’s hold hands,” the President said.

McKay said from near-decline and abandonment, Lüderitz is envisaged to become the economic epicentre for national development projects, like the envisaged Green Hydrogen projects and the ongoing exploration for gas and oil. “These projects are definitely going to change the socio-economic landscape of our town due to the foreseen influx of people,” he enthused.

The town’s first citizen said the residents “are most grateful and humbled by the Head of State’s deliberate decision to visit the //Kharas region, and in particular the town of Lüderitz, with the intent to enlighten the political leadership of this region and all other stakeholders about the Green Hydrogen developmental project.” 

McKay informed the President that while welcoming all developmental projects and specifically the latter project, the town council is excited but equally concerned. 

“As a town, we urgently need the intervention of the central government to address some of the challenges which need to be attended to with urgency,” he pleaded. 

He said the issue of urban planning and development, and the financing thereof, must be collectively addressed.

“Our local authority is expected to create, expand and develop certain facilities or infrastructure to provide the required municipal services to the community,” he said. In addition, they need to similarly create a very conducive environment for businesses to strive.

The politician explained to the stakeholders present that the town council cannot plan in isolation, but instead requires a collective effort, including relevant government agencies. 

“My humble appeal today is for our President to intervene in terms of governmental support and possible co-ordination because this matter of the Green Hydrogen project coming to Lüderitz needs to be prioritised,” he continued. McKay argued that the harbour town should, therefore, be regarded as a special case in terms of capital funding in support and preparation of the Green Hydrogen project. 

“I need to be honest that the Lüderitz Town Council is not having the required resources to provide all expected municipal services, urban planning and development associated with the project not to derail economic development,” he emphasised.

The town’s CEO, Otto Shipanga, said the Green Hydrogen project’s development is of national importance. Hence, the town heavily depends on financial and technical support from central government and external institutions to address challenges associated with the implementation of the project. 

“One of our biggest challenges in providing housing to cater for the anticipated influx of people once these projects become operational is the high cost of servicing land, costing council approximately N$150 000 for a 300-square metre piece of virgin land,” he stated. 

He further said they are in negotiations with the Sperrgebiet’s management to surrender 10 000 hectares of unviable/unfeasible land, and also to extend the town’s boundary into the peninsula. 

“A consultant was appointed to do our water/electricity/sewer and infrastructure master plans in order to determine current and future demand patterns,” the CEO informed. Shipanga said council likewise engaged NamWater to increase their water supply to the town in future, whilst the envisaged Kudu Gas Power Station can be an option to increase the electrical supply to Lüderitz accordingly, once operational in 2026.