Aus thirsty for development

The southern town of Aus has been identified as a strategic node for development, with several major industrial projects planned for the Lüderitz-Aus corridor. These include green hydrogen, oil and gas, salmon fish farming, and a steel manufacturing plant.These initiatives are expected to trigger a substantial population increase, with around 7 500 new employees anticipated to settle in the area over the next few years.Regarding the development of Aus to accommodate this expected influx, //Kharas region governor Gaob Dawid Gertze said in his recent state of the region address that “for the 2024/25 financial year, N$50 million has been allocated towards the project, with current certified expenditure standing at approximately N$13.9 million.”The project is being implemented in phases, with the first focusing on upgrading water reticulation, constructing electrical services in the existing town area, and servicing 361 erven in Extensions One and Two.The development plan also includes town planning and environmental impact assessments for 1 250 additional erven, construction of full municipal services, building a new higher-capacity wastewater treatment plant, upgrading bulk services, and developing a new landfill site.On the moveǃNamiǂNûs constituency regional councillor Suzan Ndjaleka told residents on Friday that four contractors have been appointed to service erven in Khaubeb and the town area.“Aus could become a village council in five years. It is possible. We must convince the government that we are capable of managing this settlement and that we can develop it ourselves,” Ndjaleka said.“If we prove that we can pay our taxes, pay for water and electricity, and that we can make bricks and build houses, the rest will fall into place.”She highlighted that the settlement faces challenges in providing enough water for development but expressed confidence that solutions will be found.“We do not have enough water for road construction projects," she confirmed but said that the water and land reform ministry has approved a visit to look at the provision of boreholes.Ndjaleka encouraged community members to report any leakages.SuccessesNdjaleka also noted the successful completion of the SME Park.“The facility, consisting of five stalls and toilets, still needs to be connected to the electricity grid. The stalls were advertised, and two residents from Aus applied," she noted.She commended the Shack Dwellers Federation of Namibia for the work they are doing and acknowledged that a request for more erven has been submitted by the group.“We provided 18 erven, and ten new houses are under construction. Two houses have been completed, and one person moved in. One house is being constructed under the social housing initiative.”

Aus thirsty for development

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-29

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Aus thirsty for development

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Namibian Sun 2025-09-29

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