Africa-Press – Namibia. MINISTER of Urban and Rural Development Erastus Uutoni officially initiated the round table discussion of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia on Thursday at Walvis Bay.
Uutoni said that this gathering would provide opportunities to learn about the partnership between the government, community-based organizations such as the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, and the private sector.
According to Uutoni, the government supports community initiatives like the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, and financial support from the Ministry began in 2000 with an initial injection totalling N$1 million, which they increased annually. The current contribution is N$10 million annually.
However, to date, the government’s financial support amounts to N$111.8 million, which was used to construct 3,555 housing units.
“We have not only provided housing grants to the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, but our Ministry also allocated funds for Informal Settlement Upgrading in Gobabis – Freedom Square Informal Settlement totalling N$10 million, Karibib – Usab Informal Settlement N$5 million, Helao Nafidi N$1 million for water and sewer pipe installation through training, and Walvis Bay N$1 million for earthworks,” he said.
He added that through these initiatives, more people have gained access to basic services and sanitation. All these projects were piloted as a means to scale up the land delivery process.
Uutoni emphasized that the government, through the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, believes in and will continue to support the work of community-based organizations such as the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia, who have demonstrated their commitment and ability to contribute to the national drive to provide affordable housing and proper sanitation, especially for those in the ultra-low and low-income categories.
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