Africa-Press – Namibia. The Walvis Bay Municipality has received a massive financial boost of N$75 million from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development for the development of Green Valley, also known as Farm 37.
As a result, the current CEO, Victoria Kapenda, approached the line ministry to accelerate council plans for Farm 37.
Making the announcement during the ordinary council meeting on Tuesday, Walvis Bay mayor Trevino Forbes said that Kapenda made the request to the ministry in April.
“The ministry confirmed the financial injection on 13 May, and the funds would be used for critical infrastructure and housing developments in Farm 37 Extension Proper as well as Extensions 1 to 5,” Forbes said.
He said the money will specifically go towards the servicing of at least 1 500 erven, the construction of houses under a housing scheme aimed at reducing illegal backyard structures and the establishment of a temporary sewer oxidation pond to cater to the area.
“A strict timeline has been set for the project, which is expected to be executed over nine months – from May 2025 to February 2026. By 12 September, the council is expected to have achieved at least 60% of the overall work,” the mayor said.
Currently, over 200 residents live at Farm 37.
Farm 37, situated about 7 kilometres from Walvis Bay, was identified in 2016 by former Erongo governor, the late Cleophas Mutjavikua, as the solution to address the current housing and service land shortage in the town.
The aim was to relocate backyard squatters and low-income earners as well as fishing industry workers to the area that could yield over 30 000 housing plots.
The town’s housing backlog is estimated to be around 50 000 – either renting or living in shacks.
However, progress has been slowed over the years due to limited funding and logistical challenges.
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