By: Annakleta Haikera
The National Housing Enterprise (NHE) on Friday held a site handover ceremony for the bulk municipal services and 173 new houses under the NHE Housing Development Project at Nkurenkuru Extension 3 in the Kavango West Region.
The N$13.2 million project, which will run for eight months, includes the installation of water, electricity, and sewer services to support the new housing units.
Once completed, the development is expected to transform Nkurenkuru’s housing landscape and create long-term opportunities for residents.
The contract has been awarded to Sackey Shikongo Construction, which is expected to employ 300 local residents during the construction period.
The company has already begun clearing the area for construction.
Speaking to The Villager Newspaper, the site agent for S. Shikongo Construction, Helvi Shilumbu, urged locals seeking employment to submit their CVs at the construction site.
“We have officially started work on the ground, and we encourage people from Nkurenkuru who are looking for jobs to bring their CVs directly to the site office. We want to prioritise local labour wherever possible,” Shilumbu said.
During the official handover, NHE acting executive for Infrastructure Development, Indileni Set-Sam Iipinge, said the project represents a milestone in NHE’s efforts to address Namibia’s housing shortage.
“This project is not just about bricks and mortar; it’s about restoring dignity and creating opportunities. Through partnerships like this, NHE continues to bring affordable housing to our people,” Iipinge said.
“This event is not just a site handover; it is a continuation of a vision that began here. We are proud to witness progress towards providing decent and affordable housing to Namibians,” he added.
“The servicing will take eight months, but we encourage the contractor to work efficiently to finish earlier. Construction of the first 50 houses will start midway through the servicing phase in April 2026 to prevent vandalism and ensure resources are used effectively. NHE is also finalising the acquisition of 83 serviced erven in Extension 6, bringing the total to 255 housing units for low-income families in Nkurenkuru,” he explained.
Iipinge said together, the projects will create over 300 jobs for residents, with all houses featuring NHE’s modern designs launched on 29 October 2025 by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development.
Liveve Angelius, chairperson of the Nkurenkuru Management Council, welcomed the NHE team and celebrated the project’s long-awaited commencement.
“We are happy to see this project finally becoming a reality. I urge our residents, especially the youth, to take advantage of this opportunity and become homeowners. Let’s stop renting and start owning,” said Liveve.
The community has welcomed the project, describing it as a much-needed development for the growing town.
Local resident, Martha Kangungu, said the project promises to make a difference in aspirations of home ownership.
“This is a great step for Nkurenkuru. Many of us have been renting for years, and now we have hope that we can own a house right here in our hometown,” she shared.
Another resident, John Amutenya, said the project will bring financial relief to many families.
“It’s good to see development coming our way. I’m also happy that they’re hiring local people because jobs are hard to find here. This project will help many families,” he said.
Meanwhile, young job seeker Helena Mukuve said she plans to apply for a position at the site.
“I’m going to submit my CV tomorrow. Even if it’s just a temporary job, it will help me gain experience and earn something to support my family,” she indicated.
The NHE Housing Development Project at Nkurenkuru Extension 3 forms part of the enterprise’s nationwide housing programme aimed at reducing Namibia’s housing backlog of more than 300,000 units, while stimulating local economies through job creation.
