Erongo

Walvis Bay • [email protected]

The Green Valley site, also known as Farm 37, was officially inaugurated by the minister of urban and rural development Peya Mushelenga in Walvis Bay.

Speaking at the event, Mushelenga said the establishment of the new township will provide Walvis Bay residents, especially those living in backyard shacks, an opportunity to improve their standard of living.

According to statistics, over 6 000 backyard shacks accommodate about 19 000 residents in Walvis Bay.

Mushelenga said the ceremony signified another step forward in the fulfillment of a dream to provide housing for all. “I have no doubt that the establishment of this township will assist us greatly in reaching the targets we have set. It will increase the number of formal housing units and decrease the number of backyard shacks.”

The potential capacity of the township is estimated at about 30 000 erven.

Currently the entire development area of Walvis Bay, including all suburbs, consists of 16 843 erven. The township will thus be a significant addition to the town’s housing stocks.

Most erven being made available at the township have being reduced to a minimum of 225m² to make land affordable and to make room for all. However, there will also be larger erven available.

Provision was made for businesses, schools, churches and public open spaces to make Farm 37 a fully-fledged township.
Mushelenga said that even though the local and global economies have slowed, progress to provide housing should not be allowed to go the same way.

“Walvis Bay’s forward thrust in terms of industrialization and development is not something that we can be halted temporarily. Central government, the office of the governor as well as the regional and local authorities must do their part in facilitating this growth.”

He called upon the relevant stakeholders, especially financial institutions, to be part of the process by assisting beneficiaries in availing the necessary funding facilities.

The development of Farm 37 is based on a four-phase developmental plan. Phase one involved the planning and feasibility studies which were completed. Phase two entails the surveying process, with consultants that have already surveyed the first six extensions which are expected to yield more than 2 000 erven. The survey diagrams of four of the six extensions have already been prepared and submitted to the Surveyor General’s office for approval.

The third phase involves the appointment of consulting engineers who will prepare the service designs for roads, water, electricity and sewer systems for the township. Mushelenga directed the Walvis Bay town council to make necessary arrangements to ensure that the third phase is concluded by the end of March 2020.

The fourth phase involves the actual construction of services on the site. Qualified and competent contractors should be appointed and commence with the actual servicing process by no later than end May 2020.

Mushelenga also encouraged community members who are interested in obtaining an erf at Green Valley to start saving money.

“Many resources are needed to implement a development of this nature. This development will have roads, water, electricity and sewer services and therefore, it will not be offered for free. Prepare yourselves and be ready to take ownership at a rate which will be determined once all input costs have been calculated.”