Council makes amends for Chinese land saga

The Okongo village council is constructing a N$2 million facility to house a women’s tailoring project, after the land the initiative had previously occupied was allocated to a Chinese firm.In 2016, the village council allocated two prime plots to Chinese-owned entity, Lenn’s Investment, to establish two business complexes, while one of the plots was occupied by the tailoring project.The council has since been trying to rebuild its relationship with the community, following the huge uproar caused by it allocating the plots to the Chinese firm.The deal was not was received well by local residents, who were up in arms at the time.They were furious that the village council had allocated two strategically-located business plots that were at the time being occupied by nine local women, who had set up a tailoring project.The women were evicted and left without a place to operate from, but last year the village council moved to make amends by giving the green light for the construction of a new facility for them, to the tune of N$2 million.Village council CEO, Wodibo Haulofu, told Namibian Sun the women were affected by the plot allocations to the Chinese company, which had paved the way for business development.“The council allocated two prime plots to a Chinese investor to construct two business complexes. The two plots were occupied by a group of women who were owned a tailoring project and were operating from one of the plots, but the land was not allocated to them,” Haulofu said.“Since these women were affected by this development and they lost the place where they were operating from, the council decided to build a tailoring project for them.”Haulofu said the new premises currently under construction will have the capacity to accommodate about 30 tailors and will include office space for an administrator. In 2016, angry residents staged a peaceful demonstration to condemn the council’s decision to award the land to the Chinese entity. Some residents even clashed with the Chinese business owner, after they tried to prevent a construction company from building on the plots.Haulofu said the council is doing everything in its power to reconcile with the community, especially the affected women.ILENI NANDJATO

Council makes amends for Chinese land saga

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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Council makes amends for Chinese land saga

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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