Deputy Minister of Urban and Rural Development Evelyn !Nawases-Taeyele has called on municipalities to fast-track the process of land delivery for housing.

She argued that land delivery is one of the critical enablers of development in any town.

The deputy minister was speaking at the handover of 34 houses by the National Housing Enterprise (NHE) in Mariental.

Nawases-Taeyele lambasted the complicated and lengthy process of land delivery, saying the delay affects every other area of development, including housing.

She said since March this year, the new administration has had serious and deliberate financial commitments to land servicing and housing development.

"Every year, we aim to formalise a substantial number of informal settlements through an intentional formalisation programme."

The Deputy Minister added that it does not make sense when an agent of government, like NHE, struggles to acquire land from another government entity, such as local authorities, due to affordability.

"The land local authorities are running belongs to the state; I almost want to say the land is not supposed to be put on sale."

NHE Board Deputy Chairperson Hasting Tjipueja said the entity's multi-stakeholder approach has delivered the results.

"NHE remains committed to ensuring that we adopt innovative solutions, strengthen internal capacity and scale delivery across the country. Mariental is part of the broader national vision, and we intend to continue working with local authorities and private entities to unlock service land and address the housing backlog in Namibia."

The National Housing Enterprise has constructed 34 houses to the value of N$6.8 million and provided employment for 150 workers, and it took 7 months to complete.