The Namibian Agronomic Board (NAB) has constructed two houses for the customs officials serving at Buitepos along the Botswana and Namibia border. 

The total cost of the first phase of the project was about N$4.6 million, which included the servicing of land.

The three-bedroom houses are fully furnished and have electricity and running water.

The initiative is expected to have a positive impact on the livelihoods of the customs officials, enabling them to live in a more conducive environment.

Dr. Fidelis Mwazi, the CEO of the Namibian Agronomic Board, emphasised the importance of decent housing, adding that "Housing has been a challenge for us to find places for our employees. So the board saw it necessary to start a house project and start constructing houses, which are valued by our border inspectors, who are our staff on the NAB. And the aim is to look for the long-term sustainability of utilising these facilities."

Chairperson of the HR Committee at the NAB, Maria Pogisho, said such initiatives are necessary to ensure that border officials can carry out their duties without having to face challenges such as lack of housing, contributing to better service delivery.

"We felt it is prudent for us to provide proper housing for staff members. Because of the hours that they are working and so forth. And currently, when you go and see where they are living, it's not really a conducive environment."

In the second phase of the project, the Agronomic Board plans to construct an additional four houses in the settlement.

These are expected to be completed by the end of this financial year.