NWR gets private partners

NAMIBIA Wildlife Resorts (NWR) has entered into business agreements with five private companies to upgrade and manage some of the parastatal’s resorts.

The agreements were signed in Windhoek on Thursday evening. The resorts are Daan Viljoen, Von Bach, Reho Spa and four campsites in the West Coast Recreation Area.The total signing fees for all the agreements amount to N$7,4 million while the overall investments amount to N$558 million.The agreements involve a lease component varying from 10 to 50 years, with a monthly rent of N$10 000 to N$26 000, as well as a share of the turnover to be paid to NWR.Prosperity Africa plans to set up a Wellness and Lifestyle centre at Daan Viljoen, offering accommodation, conference facilities and a health spa.Pisces Investment Holding Pty takes over Mile 14, where it will establish a lodge and outdoor camping facilities, while Tungeni Investment has taken over Mile 72, 208, Jakkalsputz and the Von Bach resort.N$450 million will be invested in the development of Von Bach.Aantu Energy-Reho Spa Resort Limited, in partnership with the Rehoboth Town Council, will upgrade and manage NWR’s Reho Spa with an investment of N$5 million.DPF Energy and Minerals will take over the management of nine fuel stations at NWR resorts and will pump in N$7 million to upgrade the facilities.NWR Managing Director Tobie Aupindi says the move forms part of the company’s turnaround strategy, which has seen the establishment of Sossus Dune Lodge in the South, the new Onkoshi Camp in the Etosha National Park and the upgrading of resorts such as Namutoni, Halali, Okaukuejo and Waterberg.Aupindi said with so many facilities in its portfolio, it was not possible for NWR to invest in all of them at the same time.He said the business agreements would not cause any alienation of Government property.Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said NWR has been allowed to enter into public-private partnerships to ensure maximum benefit from the tourism industry.She said the companies that had signed agreements with NWR must adhere to environmental protection.”This is particularly important as the operations involved take place within the boundaries of Namibia’s protected areas,” she said.Nandi-Ndaitwah said it was also imperative to protect the jobs of workers at NWR resorts who had been with the parastatal for years.The resorts are Daan Viljoen, Von Bach, Reho Spa and four campsites in the West Coast Recreation Area.The total signing fees for all the agreements amount to N$7,4 million while the overall investments amount to N$558 million.The agreements involve a lease component varying from 10 to 50 years, with a monthly rent of N$10 000 to N$26 000, as well as a share of the turnover to be paid to NWR.Prosperity Africa plans to set up a Wellness and Lifestyle centre at Daan Viljoen, offering accommodation, conference facilities and a health spa.Pisces Investment Holding Pty takes over Mile 14, where it will establish a lodge and outdoor camping facilities, while Tungeni Investment has taken over Mile 72, 208, Jakkalsputz and the Von Bach resort.N$450 million will be invested in the development of Von Bach.Aantu Energy-Reho Spa Resort Limited, in partnership with the Rehoboth Town Council, will upgrade and manage NWR’s Reho Spa with an investment of N$5 million.DPF Energy and Minerals will take over the management of nine fuel stations at NWR resorts and will pump in N$7 million to upgrade the facilities.NWR Managing Director Tobie Aupindi says the move forms part of the company’s turnaround strategy, which has seen the establishment of Sossus Dune Lodge in the South, the new Onkoshi Camp in the Etosha National Park and the upgrading of resorts such as Namutoni, Halali, Okaukuejo and Waterberg.Aupindi said with so many facilities in its portfolio, it was not possible for NWR to invest in all of them at the same time.He said the business agreements would not cause any alienation of Government property.Environment and Tourism Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said NWR has been allowed to enter into public-private partnerships to ensure maximum benefit from the tourism industry.She said the companies that had signed agreements with NWR must adhere to environmental protection.”This is particularly important as the operations involved take place within the boundaries of Namibia’s protected areas,” she said.Nandi-Ndaitwah said it was also imperative to protect the jobs of workers at NWR resorts who had been with the parastatal for years.