Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has called for further exploration of alternative housing technologies after inspecting a demonstration house built using Alternative Building Technology (ABT) panels in Okahandja Park.
The house, constructed through a partnership between ABT Panels Namibia, the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia and the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development, was completed within three days using panels imported from South Africa.
During the visit, the President inspected the structure and interacted with the beneficiary of the house, who expressed excitement and gratitude after receiving the newly built home.
Photos: Namibian Presidency
Impressed by the speed and quality of construction, Nandi-Ndaitwah directed Kaire Mbuende, Director General of the National Planning Commission, and James Sankwasa, Minister of Urban and Rural Development, to further explore how the technology could be scaled up to help address Namibia’s housing backlog.
The Head of State also commended the Namibian entrepreneurs behind the initiative, describing their efforts as a practical response to the call of the Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) for innovative solutions to national challenges.
She encouraged young Namibians to identify problems in their communities and develop entrepreneurial solutions that could contribute to improving living conditions and creating more dignified housing for citizens.
Both Sankwasa and Mbuende attended the demonstration, which forms part of ongoing efforts by government and its partners to identify faster and more affordable housing solutions in the country.
