Tsandi Village Council Transforms Informal Settlements, Promotes Formal Housing

TSANDI: In a significant urban development initiative, the Tsandi Village Council has successfully formalised an informal settlement in the town, allocating land parcels ranging from 300 to 500 square meters to each of the residents in the area.

According to NAMPA, the Land Management Officer of the Tsandi Village Council, the move is aimed at transitioning residents from living in shacks to residing in formal structures. The process involves the distribution of land to approximately 140 individuals who had been residing in the informal settlement.

Nuule elaborated on the council’s vision during a discussion on the sidelines of the Tsandi Annual Trade Fair and Expo held on Monday. She highlighted that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to eradicate informal structures in the vicinity and promote sustainable living conditions.

“Extension 12 has been specifically designated for this purpose, catering to low-income earners who were formerly residents of the informal settlement,” Nuule stated, adding that the process of formalization is nearing completion with residents soon to receive title deeds for their respective plots.

She went on to describe the practical aspects of the initiative, noting that each plot has been fenced off, properly demarcated, and integrated into a planned road network. The council has undertaken thorough planning and surveying of the area, with the only remaining step being the acquisition of adequate funding to introduce essential services such as electricity, sewerage, and water reticulation.

“In the interim, we are providing communal taps and toilets to serve the community’s needs,” Nuule said. She also disclosed that discussions are underway with NamWater to secure funding for the provision of water directly to individual households.

Nuule emphasized the council’s commitment to ensuring that residents have the means to build on their plots, mentioning that the Build Together initiative is being tapped into for the procurement of building materials. Residents will repay the cost of the materials through a loan arrangement.

Concluding her remarks, Nuule underscored the importance of the initiative: “We are focused on moving away from shack living, encouraging people to build and live in decent houses, creating a stable and prosperous community.”