Uutoni has final say on Wu’s N$20m discount land deal
KENYA KAMBOWE
RUNDU
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni will have the last say as to whether 83.1738 hectares of land at Divundu in the Kavango East Region will be sold at a N$20 million discount to Helmsman Group, the company owned by Chinese-born property magnate Stina Wu.
This is according to Divundu village council CEO Athanasius Maghumbo, who told Namibian Sun that the council had received a number of objections to the deal.
The objectors included groups such as the All People’s Party (APP), The People’s Agenda (TPA) and Muzokumwe Volunteers Association (MVA).
Helmsman Group was expected to pay N$29 million for the land that was initially offered at N$35 per square metre.
However, the company will only pay N$8.6 million after its request for a discount was granted by the local authority.
Helmsman Group plans to build a shopping mall and houses at Divundu.
Wu refused to comment on the matter.
Maghumbo said the objections would be relayed to the council for deliberation before the matter is forwarded to the line minister for a decision.
Development
There has been a public outcry over the N$20 million discount offered to Wu while others must pay the asking price for townland.
The Divundu village council also offered to sell 1.5 hectares of undeveloped townland to the developer Jian Wen at the upset price of N$35 per square metre.
This, Maghumbo explained, was because Wen gave an assurance that they had the financial resources to purchase it without delay.
He said Wen’s proposal included setting up a factory for building materials, a supermarket, a tyre sales and service centre, as well as various retail shops and a service station.
“We don’t oppose development, but it must be good development that benefit the people and development that put the interest of the local people first,” TPA leader Sebastian Ntjamba said.
“We commend the village council for aiming to bring development to the area and for the good land price dealing with property developer Jian Wen at N$35 per square metre and we demand the same apply to Helmsman Group.”
[email protected]
RUNDU
Urban and rural development minister Erastus Uutoni will have the last say as to whether 83.1738 hectares of land at Divundu in the Kavango East Region will be sold at a N$20 million discount to Helmsman Group, the company owned by Chinese-born property magnate Stina Wu.
This is according to Divundu village council CEO Athanasius Maghumbo, who told Namibian Sun that the council had received a number of objections to the deal.
The objectors included groups such as the All People’s Party (APP), The People’s Agenda (TPA) and Muzokumwe Volunteers Association (MVA).
Helmsman Group was expected to pay N$29 million for the land that was initially offered at N$35 per square metre.
However, the company will only pay N$8.6 million after its request for a discount was granted by the local authority.
Helmsman Group plans to build a shopping mall and houses at Divundu.
Wu refused to comment on the matter.
Maghumbo said the objections would be relayed to the council for deliberation before the matter is forwarded to the line minister for a decision.
Development
There has been a public outcry over the N$20 million discount offered to Wu while others must pay the asking price for townland.
The Divundu village council also offered to sell 1.5 hectares of undeveloped townland to the developer Jian Wen at the upset price of N$35 per square metre.
This, Maghumbo explained, was because Wen gave an assurance that they had the financial resources to purchase it without delay.
He said Wen’s proposal included setting up a factory for building materials, a supermarket, a tyre sales and service centre, as well as various retail shops and a service station.
“We don’t oppose development, but it must be good development that benefit the people and development that put the interest of the local people first,” TPA leader Sebastian Ntjamba said.
“We commend the village council for aiming to bring development to the area and for the good land price dealing with property developer Jian Wen at N$35 per square metre and we demand the same apply to Helmsman Group.”
[email protected]
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