ONGWEDIVA - In its quest to provide affordable land to its residents, the Ongwediva Town Council has budgeted at least N$9.4 million for the 2020/2021 financial year as compensation to secure residential erven at Omatando.

Omatando has over 2 000 plots. Ongwediva Town Council spokesperson Jackson Muma said so far, only two homesteads have been compensated while negotiations with ten other crop field owners are at an advanced stage.

Muma said to date, the council has distributed compensation determination to about 53 homesteads and their plots have already been measured. “In November 2020, council started negotiating with field owners and as of today, two homesteads have been compensated,” said Muma. Muma said the remaining crop field owners are still to be engaged but appeals to those who are ready to be compensated to approach the office. The council has completed the registration of all existing plots at Omatando. He said the council has to date registered eight extensions with the deeds office and residents will be required to buy off their properties once the purchase is announced in due course.

He said council is now busy aligning residents into plots as planned. Muma said once the compensation has been completed, the council will commence with the provision of services.

Meanwhile, the spokesperson said the council remains committed to deliver land to all its residents and ensure that everyone has a roof over their head. Recently, 209 plots were allocated to low-income earners at Onawa, Omatando and Okandjengedi. Muma said the area has already been surveyed and are only waiting to relocate the owners there.

A further 103 plots at Efidi Proper were also allocated to new owners. – nashipala@nepc.com.na