Bukalo housing, infrastructure projects advance

BUKALO – The Bukalo Village Council has reported progress on housing and essential infrastructure projects, while new private investments are expected to boost economic activity and improve access to services in the village.

Bukalo Village Council Chief Executive Officer Anna Sazita said most of the 200 houses constructed under the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia (SDFN) housing programme have been completed, with beneficiaries already occupying their homes.

She said only a few beneficiaries were yet to complete their houses, while construction continues on the remaining units.

Sazita added that 150 additional plots had been approved and allocated to beneficiaries for the construction of more low-cost houses.

On essential infrastructure, she said water and sewerage installations had reached 100% completion, while electricity infrastructure stood at 87%.

“We expect electricity to reach 100% within a month,” Sazita said, explaining that the remaining work was linked to compliance with standards stipulated by NORAD.

Road construction has also progressed, with completion estimated at approximately 59%.

Sazita said all the roads had been gravelled, but the installation of interlocking paving blocks remained outstanding.

She attributed the delays to challenges with the contractor rather than financial constraints on the council’s part.

“We are trying to resolve the matter with our consulting engineer and the contractor,” she said.

Meanwhile, construction of Bukalo’s open market is nearing completion following delays involving the original contractors and concerns about construction quality.

Sazita said visible progress had been made, with the roof of the market stalls now in place and contractors working on the final touches.

She explained that the council had insisted on quality standards after some of the initial concrete work failed to meet the required specifications, resulting in delays.

The council is also progressing with the development of a stadium, where construction work is underway and fencing has already started.

**New investments expected **

Sazita said Bukalo was attracting new private sector investments, including a shop being constructed between the hotel and the service station.

She identified the investor as ShopRite Usave, which is expected to establish a presence in the village once construction is completed.

The development will complement an existing building materials shop, providing residents with additional shopping options.

In another major development, the council has allocated two hectares of land to Rani Trading for the planned construction of a Cash & Carry shopping mall.

Sazita said the investment would expand commercial activity and improve access to goods and services within Bukalo.

She added that the council was also engaging financial institutions to improve access to banking services, including automated teller machines (ATMs).

According to Sazita, discussions are underway with a financial institution referred to as BBS in the interview regarding the installation of ATMs. Further opportunities could arise through the planned retail developments.

She said the council hoped the new facilities would reduce the need for residents to travel to Katima Mulilo to access certain shopping and banking services.

Sazita said the council remained committed to attracting investors and improving local infrastructure to support Bukalo’s growth.

The developments are expected to improve access to housing, essential services, shopping facilities and financial services for residents.

*[email protected] *

The post Bukalo housing, infrastructure projects advance appeared first on New Era.