No price on ‘People’s House’

THE people were absent when the ‘People’s House’ – the new State House – was inaugurated in Windhoek on Friday, Independence Day.

Also missing was any mention of the cost of the sprawling new State complex – despite earlier promises that it would be unveiled at the occasion. At an invitation-only ceremony marked by pomp and circumstance, President Hifikepunye Pohamba described the new State House as “a symbol of our nationhood and sovereignty” and “a national asset which belongs to no one else but the people of Namibia”.”It is a project that had to be completed as part of our institution-building strategy for our country,” he told guests, who included Kim Yong-Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea, at the opening of the administrative block of the new State House in the Auasblick residential area.It has been unofficially estimated that the new complex cost about N$600 million.This estimated amount excludes the construction of the yet to be completed presidential residence, which will be covered by a Chinese grant.When the national Budget was under discussion last year, both Works, Transport and Communications Minister Joel Kaapanda and the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana, told Parliament that the total amount would be revealed at the inauguration.The construction was done by the Mansudae Overseas Project Group from that country, with around 40 local companies used as subcontractors.Pohamba said the office space in the old State House was “very inadequate” with officials crammed into small offices, while others were forced to share small spaces.”Surely, such a situation is not conducive for effective execution of important duties that these officials are charged with,” Pohamba said.Budget figures for the new State House project have varied over the years – from N$186 million in 2002 to N$500 million last year, but with the second half of the project still to be finished.”I am happy and proud that this new State House, the people’s house, has been completed,” Pohamba said.However, the construction was surrounded by controversy, as “the people” had to make way for “their house” to be constructed.Government had to repossess 20 hectares from landowners around the area to build the complex – something which did not go down well with “the people”.Although the personnel will start moving into the new building in the next few weeks, Pohamba and his family will have to wait until around November when the residence is expected to be completed.Apart from the administration block, the new State House will have the Presidential residence, a landing pad for helicopters, parking garages and quarters for Police and other security personnel.Kim Yong-Nam said the new State House was a symbol of friendship between Namibia and North Korea.At an invitation-only ceremony marked by pomp and circumstance, President Hifikepunye Pohamba described the new State House as “a symbol of our nationhood and sovereignty” and “a national asset which belongs to no one else but the people of Namibia”.”It is a project that had to be completed as part of our institution-building strategy for our country,” he told guests, who included Kim Yong-Nam, President of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly of North Korea, at the opening of the administrative block of the new State House in the Auasblick residential area.It has been unofficially estimated that the new complex cost about N$600 million. This estimated amount excludes the construction of the yet to be completed presidential residence, which will be covered by a Chinese grant.When the national Budget was under discussion last year, both Works, Transport and Communications Minister Joel Kaapanda and the Minister for Presidential Affairs, Dr Albert Kawana, told Parliament that the total amount would be revealed at the inauguration.The construction was done by the Mansudae Overseas Project Group from that country, with around 40 local companies used as subcontractors.Pohamba said the office space in the old State House was “very inadequate” with officials crammed into small offices, while others were forced to share small spaces.”Surely, such a situation is not conducive for effective execution of important duties that these officials are charged with,” Pohamba said.Budget figures for the new State House project have varied over the years – from N$186 million in 2002 to N$500 million last year, but with the second half of the project still to be finished.”I am happy and proud that this new State House, the people’s house, has been completed,” Pohamba said.However, the construction was surrounded by controversy, as “the people” had to make way for “their house” to be constructed.Government had to repossess 20 hectares from landowners around the area to build the complex – something which did not go down well with “the people”.Although the personnel will start moving into the new building in the next few weeks, Pohamba and his family will have to wait until around November when the residence is expected to be completed.Apart from the administration block, the new State House will have the Presidential residence, a landing pad for helicopters, parking garages and quarters for Police and other security personnel.Kim Yong-Nam said the new State House was a symbol of friendship between Namibia and North Korea.