Karibib prioritises provision of low-cost erven

KARIBIB Town Council has prioritised the delivery of low-cost serviced land for its residents.

The town’s chief executive officer, Lesley Goreseb, says they embarked on this initiative for the 2019/20 and the new financial year 2020/21, because “the challenge local authorities face is that people who need land are those who do not have money.”

The council has identified three extensions on Farm 54 for this initiative and has partnered with a European non-governmental organisation called Development Workshop Namibia (DWN) on the development of one of the extensions.

DWN is partnering with local authorities countrywide to help with the provision of affordable serviced land.

Through this initiative, land will be delivered on an incremental infrastructure development basis where the town council will provide an erf with just sewer, an erf with water and sewer or an erf with water, sewer, and electricity.

“It means some-one who applies under that scheme for an erf with just a sewer connection will get a communal bulk tap at a cost of around N$17  000. An erf with water and sewer connection will cost around N$30  000 and an erf with water, sewer, and electricity will cost around N$50 000,” explained Goreseb.

A budget of N$10 million has been set aside for the servicing of about 306 plots. The plots will be available on a one plot per person basis and will be sold on input cost basis as the council does not intend making profit out of the sale of these erven.

“It means whatever we put in for servicing of the land will be the selling price for the erf. It is kind of a revolving fund. The town council, together with the community working committee, has set up a joint bank account where the community deposits the money and the council uses that money to pay service providers. “When a community member gets an erf, they are not forced to build a house right away. You can put in a structure that you can afford, whether it is a corrugated zinc structure or one of alternative building materials, until such time you are able to build a decent house. But beneficiaries are not allowed to sell the erf within 10 years. That is to avoid speculation and quick money-making,” Goreseb explained.

Council together with DWN has set up an office for low-income residents to apply for land through the initiative.

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.

The Namibian uses AI tools to assist with improved quality, accuracy and efficiency, while maintaining editorial oversight and journalistic integrity.