Formalising informal settlements a basic human right, says Ngurare

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has declared the formalisation of informal settlements a human right, pledging swift government action to improve living conditions across the country.Speaking at a consultative meeting in Samora Machel constituency yesterday, Ngurare reaffirmed government’s commitment to tackling challenges in informal settlements, in line with Swapo’s election manifesto plans. “Formalisation of informal settlements is not an abstract phrase. It is a human right. It is about the dignity and decency of our people," Ngurare stressed. “We must ensure access to water, sanitation, affordable housing and essential infrastructure such as flushing toilets. The residents of these constituencies must be at the forefront of this programme and benefit from it," he declared. Ngurare added: "When formalising informal settlements, there should be decent flushing toilets, and the designs and demarcations should be in a manner that respects decency, dignity, privacy and respect for human rights."The meeting was attended by deputy prime minister and minister of industrialisation and mines Natangwe Ithete, urban and rural development minister James Sankwasa and new Khomas regional governor Sam Nujoma Jr, among others.Ngurare reiterated that the new administration is acting on campaign promises, referencing President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah’s inaugural speech on 21 March, in which she directed that bottlenecks in service delivery must be addressed urgently.To this end, the prime minister instructed all relevant ministries, agencies and local authorities to finalise their implementation plans within a week and submit them to his office by 11 April, with a follow-up presentation scheduled for 16 April.Rising urbanisation and housing challengesNujoma, who assumed office last Friday, highlighted the rapid rate of urbanisation in the Khomas Region, citing the 2023 Population and Housing Census, which recorded 494 605 residents in the region – almost half (46.9%) of whom live in informal settlements.“The population increase has placed immense pressure on service delivery institutions,” Nujoma said. “While formal housing exists, affordability remains a significant hurdle.”He noted ongoing efforts, such as the joint informal settlement upgrading project, a collaboration between the Khomas Regional Council, the urban and rural development ministry, the City of Windhoek and the Namibia Housing Enterprise (NHE). Launched in 2020, the initiative seeks to provide affordable housing solutions, though additional measures are needed to meet growing demand.“Today’s meeting is a reminder that behind every statistic, every data point, and every policy initiative, there are real people – families, children, and individuals – whose lives are directly impacted by the decisions we make,” he added.Collaboration and nationwide expansionDiscussions emphasised the need for cooperation between government, the private sector and civil society in tackling the housing crisis.“The voices of these communities matter. The central government is committed to being part of the solution,” Nujoma said. “We must address these challenges head-on to ensure informal settlements are no longer seen as a symptom of neglect but as communities full of potential and promise.”With funding allocated in the newly tabled national budget, expectations are high for swift implementation, with Windhoek serving as the starting point for a nationwide rollout in the coming months. - elizabeth@nmh-hub.com.na

Formalising informal settlements a basic human right, says Ngurare

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-16

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Formalising informal settlements a basic human right, says Ngurare

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Namibian Sun 2025-06-16

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