Africa-Press – Namibia. THE provision of affordable housing remains a challenge in the Oshana Region as the demand for decent shelter continues to escalate.
Oshana governor Elia Irimari, during his State of the Region Address on Wednesday, said the high demand for residential and business properties comes as a result of urbanisation.
Thus, Irimari stated that the local authorities in the region are busy planning and establishing new townships.
“As at the end of the 2021/22 financial year, there are 23 proclaimed townships in Ondangwa Town, whereas two townships in Ongwediva and five in Oshakati are being planned,” he said.
He added that significant progress is also being made by the three town councils to service more land in the region in order to avail land for housing development.
Consequently, Irimari said a total of 1 459 plots will be availed.
Furthermore, Irimari said that during the period under review, the Oshana Regional Council had a budget of N$ 4 million for compensation to make way for the construction of municipal services at Uukwangula and Eheke settlements.
However, Irimari stated that an amount of N$ 4.83 million was utilised to compensate households affected by development.
Meanwhile, the ministry of urban and rural development allocated close to N$ 2 million to Oshana Regional Council for rural development programmes.
During the period under review, Oshana Regional Council focused it’s efforts in improving sanitation and water provision in rural areas where sanitation remains a challenge.
Thus, the region constructed 70 sanitation toilets which have been completed in all constituencies at a cost of N$ 624 251.82.
Irimari stated that the Ondangwa Town Council had prioritised land servicing in order to avail land both for residential and business property development.
“A budget of N$ 28 million was dedicated to land servicing at Onguta Extension 25, 26, 28 and Onantsi area,” he added.
In Ongwediva, a total budget of N$ 33.3 million was allocated for urban infrastructure development. While Oshakati made a provision of N$ 92.1 million during the period under the review.
For More News And Analysis About Namibia Follow Africa-Press
