WALVIS BAY – Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Natalia /Goagoses has urged various stakeholders in the private sector to come on board and help government address the housing shortage in the country.
/Goagoses made the appeal on Saturday in Walvis Bay while assisting the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) to carry out earthworks on Extension 11 at the town that needs to be serviced for the construction of 215 houses for its members.
“Government through financial support gave N$91 million to construct 3 090 houses countrywide with the assistance of Standard Bank, First National Bank, Ohorongo Cement, the Pupkewitz Foundation, Baard Group and Neo Paint, among others,” she said.
“However, we are calling upon other financial institutions such as Bank Windhoek, Nedbank and the Development Bank of Namibia to also come on board and help our people in their dreams of owning decent homes.”
She added an organisation like the SFDN should be supported for their noble cause as they support the poorest in the community through their initiatives and by making the provision of housing a reality.
According to her, government recognises that housing is a challenge in the country and this needs the support of the private sector and its communities to pull all resources and efforts together and help develop inclusive and innovative strategies to construct decent and affordable houses in the country.
“Government through our ministry will continue to support the work of community-based organisations as they have demonstrated their commitment and ability to contribute to the national drive towards providing affordable housing and proper sanitation to our people,” she said.
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni at the weekend also commended the SDFN for being consistent in constructing and making available houses across the country.
Uutoni noted that the federation ranks number one countrywide in providing houses and has to date enabled the construction of thousands of houses for low-to-middle income earners.
He made these remarks when he handed over 32 houses constructed through the SDFN at Swakopmund on Friday.
“The Shack Dwellers Federation’s solution to housing is unique and worth supporting in that it is a case of the community itself taking action to address its own developmental needs. This is a clear testimony of sustainable and people-centred development, and the ministry pledges our continued support,” he said.
– edeklerk@nepc.com.na