ABOUT 150 workers of Namibia Homes have urged government to soon lift the suspension of the multi-million dollar mass housing project.
Government’s decision to suspend the programme last month has left close to 5 000 workers in the country jobless.
Namibia Homes are among the 25 construction companies Namibia Housing Enterprise (NHE) – an implementing agency of government – awarded a tender to build 320 core houses at Keetmanshoop under the mass housing project.
Urban and rural development minister Sophia Shaningwa last month ordered NHE to immediately halt the project after it could not acquire the N$2 billion needed to bankroll the programme that was meant to put up close to 10 000 houses from 2014 to 2016.
Being now unemployed because government halted the project, Namibia Homes workers say they are worried about their livelihoods as the company had guaranteed them jobs until March 2016 when the project is expected to be completed. “All jobs are filled. Who will give us new jobs or where will we find jobs?” Rosalinda Hendriks questioned.
Hendriks said the project suspension has created a severe adverse impact on workers. “ Some of us have bought furniture on credit due to the job security that was pledged to us by the company, but now we are virtually unemployed and would be unable to pay our debts at month end,” said a visibly anxious and devastated Hendriks about the sudden suspension of the project.
“How are we going to put bread on the table for our families,” Hendriks asked, pleading with the government to lift the suspension for workers to resume their duties on Monday.
Another worker, Johannes Riekert, blamed the government for the predicament in which the workers find themselves now.
“Government must take responsibility for our situation because it has taken the decision without any consultation,” Riekert fumed.
Riekert blames NHE management for the workers’ predicament.
“They still receive their monthly whopping salaries, drive expensive cars and live in decent houses, while we are now unemployed,” Riekert said angrily.
Tangeni Betuel criticised government for haphazardly ordering the suspension of the mass housing programme.
“They just stopped the programme, and now they are trying to find a solution,” said Betuel, adding that the workers “want their jobs back” as they have been punished for the mistakes others have committed.
“Government is emphasising fairness each day, but now we have been punished for other people’s mistakes. That’s not fair,” Betuel added.
Namibia Homes chief executive officer Dominic Loughran has also called for a speedy solution to the issues that resulted in the suspension of the mass housing programme.
“We shall make immediate representations to all stakeholders and make ourselves available to contribute to a prompt restoration of the project,” Loughran added.
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