By Lylie Happiness
On July 21, 2023, the Minister of Urban and Rural Development, Erastus Uutoni, presided over the official handover of 108 houses constructed by the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) through the Mass Housing Development Programme (MHDP) in Swakopmund.
During the event, Minister Uutoni acknowledged the challenges faced in the construction process, such as the rising costs of materials and transportation, which have made it difficult to maintain the selling prices of houses at the government’s desired affordability level.
“As a ministry responsible for housing provision, we support initiatives that deliver houses that our people can afford, especially for those within the low to ultra-low-income brackets,” he said.
Minister Uutoni also addressed the issue of delays in executing and completing national projects, attributing some delays to actions by certain private contractors who fail to honor their contractual obligations. He emphasized that such actions result in increased costs and unwarranted blame on the government when the fault lies with the defaulting contractors. He called for stern action against these contractors, including blacklisting them.
Furthermore, Uutoni urged the beneficiaries to play a crucial role in helping the government create opportunities for other needy Namibians. He encouraged them to honor their home loan repayment obligations promptly so that the funds can be used to build houses for fellow Namibians in need.
The handover ceremony marks another milestone in the government’s commitment to providing affordable housing for its citizens, particularly those in the low-income bracket. The completion of these houses brings hope and improved living conditions for the beneficiaries in the Matutura community of Swakopmund.- Namibia Daily News
