The City of Windhoek has lost a N$750-million allocation for informal settlement upgrading after failing to formally accept the funds and the conditions attached, forcing the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to redirect the money to other local authorities.
The delay has raised concerns over slow implementation of the project meant to improve housing and basic services for residents in the Samora Machel, Khomasdal, Tobias Hainyeko, Moses //Garoeb and Windhoek Rural constituencies.
The ministry expected the city to formalise 16 townships, provide 5 000 serviced erven, 5 000 affordable housing units, and 250 community ablution facilities, with a 60% execution rate required by 12 September and full completion by February 2026.
According to the Office of the Khomas Regional Governor, the city neither accepted the funds nor agreed to the conditions attached.
“It was revealed that the Municipal Council had not yet accepted the allocated funds,” the governor’s office says.
On 19 August, the governor requested an update from the municipality.
A meeting the following day with minister James Sankwasa, municipal councillors and executives revealed that the city’s management committee had not yet made a recommendation to council for approval.
“The management committee was still deliberating on the allocation and conditions set by the ministry,” the governor’s office says.
The ministry subsequently reallocated the funds to other local authorities that had already submitted building plans and accepted the terms.
The governor later met with the ministry, regional councillors and the city to address the delays.
“The contention between the City of Windhoek and the ministry became apparent,” the office notes.
Despite the setback, the city says several projects were underway.
It told the governor that it secured procurement exemptions from the Ministry of Finance’s policy unit on 20 August “to fast-track informal settlement development projects previously approved by council.”
A progress report submitted to the governor shows that land servicing at Goreangab extension four phase two, Havana extensions 8 eight and 11, Mix Settlement, Kapuka Nuuyala, Otjomuise extension four, and Groot Aub has delivered 2 132 serviced erven.
The governor’s office says it will continue demanding urgency.
“We will continue to demand urgency in the implementation of projects that restore dignity to the undignified living conditions of the majority of our citizens.”
