Construction of the
multi-billion-dollar mega Smart-City investment in Tsumeb is likely to start in
April, says the mayor of the copper town Mathew Hangula.
The planned project will cost
N$20 billion that will be a significant investment complementing the mining and
agricultural sectors, which are Tsumeb’s economic backbone, and it will boost
the town’s economy and provide employment to thousands of people from within
and outside the town and the Oshikoto Region.
The project will include a
medical university to provide an international standard education for
approximately 25 000 students, providing them and all the staff with
accommodation, complemented by a modern 800-bed hospital. The Smart-City will
also have six hotels, office parks, residential apartments, entertainment and
recreational facilities.
It is scheduled for completion
and operational by April 2021.
MKP South Africa, a multinational
company with a broad business portfolio in construction, banking, tourism and
healthcare, is undertaking the project.
Hangula said they have attracted
another retail investor who is set to construct and open a supermarket, and is expected
to create more short and long-term jobs for the locals.
“Choppies store will be
opening a branch in Tsumeb, and they will start with the construction as soon
as we get ministerial approval. Council already approved and passed the
resolution,” explained Hangula who noted the public had earlier objected
to the idea.
He said the reason for objections
was that land sold to the investor was a public open space and the community
felt their children had no place for leisure.
The land had a value of N$4 million, but council gave an incentive and it was sold for N$1 million. “One of the conditions for the investor was that they build a modern public facility for the community upon completion, but it looks like the public did not pick up the element when they earlier objected,” stressed the mayor.https://allafrica.com/stories/201902210545.html
