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News and Information
Govt to pump N$32m into Katima Waterfront
| October 13, 2004 |
LINDSAY DENTLINGER
THE Katima Mulilo Waterfront Project now looks certain to get off the ground after Government decided to inject N$32 million into the development.
It will become the fourth town after Swakopmund, Henties Bay and Luderitz to embark on such a project.
Project Administrator Geoffrey Mugwala said yesterday that he was recently informed that Government had agreed to financially support the project.
Cabinet took the decision at a meeting last week.
The project which started two years ago, has been in limbo for almost a year awaiting Government approval for financial assistance.
The project aims to boost tourism in an area which has largely struggled to encourage extended visits to the region.
Government paid for feasibility studies for the Katima Mulilo Waterfront project which were carried out in 2002.
The earmarked site is in the Malila area opposite the junction of the road from the CBD and the TransCaprivi Highway en route to Ngoma border post.
Mugwala told The Namibian that the first step now would be to register the project as a company.
The pre-implementation phase involves finalising land ownership aspects, the start of a public tender process and negotiations for financing for the main waterfront site.
A time-frame for these activities will only be determined once the steering committee meets in the next two weeks.
The implementation phase is, however, set to start early in the new year - with the entire project set for completion by 2010.
A harbour, road and infrastructure development will form the first part of the implementation phase.
Public funds will also be used to build the entrance facilities, plaza, aquarium and walkways along the shore and to the CBD.
Mugwala said it is hoped that the private sector will step in to invest in the building of the major features such as an arts and crafts and recreational centres as well as a traditional khuta village, self-catering holiday accommodation and a four star hotel.
The full cost of the development has not yet been finalised.
Besides helping Katima Mulilo kickstart its waterfront project, Government last year also committed N$36,8 million to the Henties Bay Town Council for a similar project at the resort town which is expected to cost in the region of N$87 million.
Government has also guaranteed N$22 million of the Luderitz Waterfront Development of which the first two phases are already complete.
Houses at the Swakopmund Waterfront, which is being built entirely through private investment, are already at roof-height. |
Source: Namibian.com.na |
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