Rehoboth Urban East residents discuss land matters

REHOBOTH, 15 JUL  – Constituents of Rehoboth Urban East want the government to implement a law that avails urban land to people with an agreement that allows them to sell the land after 20 years should they wish to do so.
This was said during the land consultative meeting chaired by the chairperson of the Hardap Regional Council, Edward Wambo, who is also the constituency councillor.
The meeting was held under the auspices of the Hardap Regional Council and the Office of the Governor here on Saturday.
The residents said the quest for urban land is tough and the only solution to the problem is to avail at least 100 serviced erven every year for people to build houses with the agreement that the land should not be sold. The owner of the land should only be allowed to do so after 20 years.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said they never receive feedback from the Rehoboth Town Council about the status of their applications.
“We apply and fill in forms at the town council almost every year. No one cares to tell us if our applications have been declined or if it perhaps ended up in dustbins in favour of the rich,” the resident said.
Another resident who did not want her name published said expensive urban land is out of reach for the poor and low income earners, adding that they are victimised and discriminated against.
“Our local authority has failed to address the issue of affordable urban land for the poor and low income earners and I do not foresee any change in the near future,” she said.
She is of the opinion that land should be made available, especially to young people to allow them to move out of their parents’ homes.
“Land should be availed to us as we also have our children and we cannot live in overcrowded houses. Why should we beg for land 28 year after independence? Did those who fought for land do it for nothing?” she asked.
Another resident said land should be availed to the youth at affordable rates.
The meetings give inhabitants a platform to ask pertinent questions on land issues and precedes the National Land Conference slated for October this year.

NAMPA