Ongwediva gives plots for N$5.50 per square metre

The Ongwediva Town Council intends to allocate over 260 plots at Efidi Extension 6, in the Oshana region, to the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) for a set price of N$5.50 per square metre.

This follows an agreement between the town council and the NHE.

This arrangement would make the houses cheaper for buyers.

The town council’s spokesperson, Ottilie Shingenge, yesterday confirmed the above by responding to questions sent by The Namibian.

The questions were aimed at understanding the rationale for the set price and determining when the allocation and construction of the plots would commence.

“The N$5.50 per square metre is a subsidised standard amount that the council charges the lower to middle-income earners,” she said.

The plots usually start from 300 to 1 000 square metres with the price ranging between N$1 650 to N$5 500.

When calculating the arrangement based on 300 square metre, the price comes to N$1 650 only.

Shingenge added that after the council issues a notice of immovable properties, it will need to get approval from the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.

Thereafter, the approving council will have to offer the available land/plots to NHE to commence with the process of construction as per the agreed conditions of sale.

Shingenge further explained that the approval is sought in terms of section 30 of the Local Authorities Act, 1992, as amended by the line ministry.

“The town council and NHE has entered into agreement whereas the two entities are desirous to foster and promote strategic partnership guided by the national mandate to build houses for the Namibian people, with a specific focus on the residents of Ongwediva town,” she said.

She acknowledged that they are conscious of housing needs, challenges and opportunities at Ongwediva and in the Oshana region, and seek to align with national development goals as outlined in Vision 2023 and the relevant National Development Plans of Namibia.

Shingenge said the agreement outlines the two parties’ shared goal to work together in good faith to solve the housing backlog and land delivery issues.

She stated that part of the agreement is to establish a framework for collaboration between the Ongwediva Town Council and the NHE in the development and promotion of affordable housing initiatives within the Ongwediva area.

She said the council granted approval for the NHE to provide service infrastructure – water, sewerage systems, electricity reticulation, storm water and road networks – and develop the land.

Each entity would establish technical representatives or task teams to coordinate joint activities to oversee, monitor and review the implementation of agreed initiatives and address issues as they occur.

NHE communication manager Mutonga Matali says NHE initially offered a lower rate to ensure that the final selling price is kept as low as possible for the benefit of its clients.

“We, however, appreciate the fact that the council has to recover their input cost. Following positive negotiations, we reached an understanding of N$5.50,” he says.

CONDITION OF SALE

According to a notice seen by the publication this week, the council allocated 260 undeveloped single residential erven to the NHE at N$5.50 per square metre.

The entire Efidi Extension 6 comprises 275 erven, including 266 single residential erven, five public open spaces, three business erven, one institutional erven and existing occupants. It also includes basic service infrastructure such as electricity, water, a sewerage system, a storm water system and road networks.

The council also directed the NHE to consider applicants from the council’s waiting list for the houses to be developed at Efidi Extension 6.

Limited bulk services infrastructure, like water connections, connection to the existing mini-sub and bulk connection to the existing sewer pump station, will be provided by the council.

“A notice is issued and given in terms of Section 63(2) (b) of the Local Authorities Act, Act No. 23 of 1992 (as amended) together with Section 30 that the Ongwediva Town Council intends to dispose off immovable properties by way of private transaction to the listed persons/companies at the price indicated below,” reads the notice.

All written and duly motivated objections on the proposed transaction, the notice says, are to be addressed or delivered to the office of the chief executive not later than 20 August.

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