Oshakati makes housing progress
The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) will hand over more than 60 new houses in Oshakati by the end of November.
This is according to NHE spokesperson Mutonga Matali, when asked about the progress made by the parastatal in the northern town.
At the beginning of this year, the NHE started with the construction of 200 houses in Oshakati's Ekuku Extension 6 in public-private partnerships with two companies.
Matali said by the end of this month 41 houses will be handed over, and 20 more by the end of next month.
When Namibian Sun visited the site recently, most of the houses seemed to be ready for occupation and no construction was taking place. Matali said 139 of the 200 houses have been allocated to prospective owners, of whom 53 have been granted loan approval by commercial banks.
As to the prices for the houses, urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga constantly reminds the NHE to not set prices above N$500 000.
But in July, NHE CEO Gisbertus Mukulu explained that it does not make economic sense for them to ensure that the houses cost only N$500 000 or less.
Mukulu said there was just a verbal directive given by Mushelenga and consultations still needed to take place. He added that the directive was not applicable to the public-private partnership in Oshakati.
“I think that one was just a verbal directive, so to say. I think they are yet to communicate to us. I don't think it is applicable to the PPP project, because this is private money and they use their money for the cost of capital and they need to recoup their investment.”
The NHE's housing backlog list stands at 91 131. When contacted for comment, Oshakati mayor Angelus Iyambo applauded the NHE's efforts to build houses for the people.
“On behalf of the Oshakati town council, we feel proud because the vision of the government is to house the people. This is why out of the entire country, Oshakati is regarded as number one when it comes to land delivery,” Iyambo said.
Iyambo also expressed his gratitude to the private developers building houses in the town.
KENYA KAMBOWE
This is according to NHE spokesperson Mutonga Matali, when asked about the progress made by the parastatal in the northern town.
At the beginning of this year, the NHE started with the construction of 200 houses in Oshakati's Ekuku Extension 6 in public-private partnerships with two companies.
Matali said by the end of this month 41 houses will be handed over, and 20 more by the end of next month.
When Namibian Sun visited the site recently, most of the houses seemed to be ready for occupation and no construction was taking place. Matali said 139 of the 200 houses have been allocated to prospective owners, of whom 53 have been granted loan approval by commercial banks.
As to the prices for the houses, urban and rural development minister Peya Mushelenga constantly reminds the NHE to not set prices above N$500 000.
But in July, NHE CEO Gisbertus Mukulu explained that it does not make economic sense for them to ensure that the houses cost only N$500 000 or less.
Mukulu said there was just a verbal directive given by Mushelenga and consultations still needed to take place. He added that the directive was not applicable to the public-private partnership in Oshakati.
“I think that one was just a verbal directive, so to say. I think they are yet to communicate to us. I don't think it is applicable to the PPP project, because this is private money and they use their money for the cost of capital and they need to recoup their investment.”
The NHE's housing backlog list stands at 91 131. When contacted for comment, Oshakati mayor Angelus Iyambo applauded the NHE's efforts to build houses for the people.
“On behalf of the Oshakati town council, we feel proud because the vision of the government is to house the people. This is why out of the entire country, Oshakati is regarded as number one when it comes to land delivery,” Iyambo said.
Iyambo also expressed his gratitude to the private developers building houses in the town.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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