Klazen urges employers to build houses for employees

BERSEBA, 07 JUL – The private sector must come on board and build houses for their employees if they expect them to deliver 100 per cent output, Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development (MURD), Derek Klazen proposed.
He made this call on Friday at the Goat Expo in Berseba and while handing over to beneficiaries 28 houses built by MURD, Standard Bank and Ohorongo cement.
“Today marks the celebration of collective efforts to provide affordable houses to our citizens. I am thus calling upon businesses in the region to join this noble cause to provide houses to your employees, men and women that cannot afford a house in the mainstream market,” he said.
The houses were handed over to members of the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia at the village and each house cost the three entities N.dollars 32 000 to construct.
Klazen said Government alone cannot provide solutions to all challenges faced by the communities and it is time businesses stood up and pulled in one direction of prosperity and unity.
“Employers expect workers to give 100 per cent output, but what are they doing to better the lives of the employees? These employees sleep in the cold, rain and wind, then you expect them to deliver,” he remarked.
The deputy minister said housing is a key national development priority and an important vehicle for addressing poverty and inequality.
“It brings about social harmony, economic advancement and ensuring political stability. It is the provision of homes from which we ensure that our people have dignity, security of tenure and an opportunity to plan and take charge of their own futures,” said Klazen.
Government acknowledges the challenge in the housing sector and is geared towards the provision of decent housing as one of the key development priorities as stipulated in Vision 2030, the national development plans and the Harambee Prosperity Plan.
“This remains an important commitment despite our country facing economic headwinds. I believe there is no challenge too difficult for us to overcome if we put hands together; the government, private sector and community must pull together to fulfil the plans of the Namibian house,” added Klazen.
(NAMPA)