Lüderitz waterfront delayed

PROTRACTED negotiations with potential investors have delayed the second phase of the Lüderitz Waterfront project, says Waterfront Development Company CEO, Fluksman Samuehl.

The project, with an estimated cost of close to N$400 million, includes the construction of a 64-bedroom four-star hotel; retail and shopping complex as well as residential units. The old power station would also be redeveloped to house sporting facilities. Despite the delay, the luring of more tourists to the harbour town will go ahead as planned, Samuehl told The Namibian recently. ‘Within three weeks time the board will have a clear time line of the implementation of the project when consultants are expected to table progress reports,’ said Samuehl.He said talks of plans by the Lüderitz Town Council to cede ownership of the land on which the project is being implemented to the Waterfront Development Company and a hotel owner are in an advanced stage. ‘We still need to sort out some nitty-gritty issues with the hotel owner before we put pen to paper,’ said Samuehl. ‘Basically we have sealed the land ownership deal with the Town Council.’Samuehl did not want to reveal the name of the hotel owner.According to Samuehl, Government would source a third of the project funding, with N$10 million already rolled out to cushion the cost the company has incurred during the planning stages of the project. According to Samuehl, the Ministry of Finance was in the process of tabling a submission to Cabinet to seek financial support for the development. Samuehl said a company specialising in project funding has been contracted to solicit the rest of the funding from commercial banks and equity partners, while Broll Namibia has been given the mandate to canvass tenants for the retail outlets, and to facilitate the sale of residential units. However, the waterfront development is not controversy free, with residents in the vicinity of the proposed waterfront site having protested against the development. In a petition dated October 13 2008, the residents demanded that the project be put on hold with immediate effect to allow for a proper assessment of the site. The residents claim that a planned three-storey hotel will obstruct their sea-view.This, they said, would devalue their properties, which they had brought with their retirement monies. ‘We as Lüderitz Buchters welcome any new development in Lüderitz that will improve the town’s status to attract tourism, but at our expense it is not acceptable,’ the petition reads. The residents also claim that there was no need for another hotel at the town, which already has four hotels with annual occupancy rates of only 55 per cent, according to them.’Does Lüderitz really need a hotel with 60 rooms at an excessive cost of N$280 million?’ They asked.Attempts to get comment from the residents behind the petition proved futile recently. Samuehl said his company will try to engage in talks with the property owners to find an amicable solution. luqman@namibian.com.na