Ondangwa cement depot first Public Private Partnership to materialise in the North
A first real Public Private Partnership was given tangible life this week when on Thursday, the Governor of the Oshana Region, Hon Clemens Kashuupulwa officially opened a new cement depot on land owned by TransNamib in Ondangwa.
The Ohorongo Cement Ondangwa Depot utilises the Tsumeb Ondangwa railway line for the first time since it was built, for the transport of cargo under a commercial agreement. The depot supplies cement to traders in the Ohangwena, Oshana and Omusati regions, and it has Angola in its sight as a future distribution point when the railway extends to Oshikango.
Ohorongo said it has spent N$4 million on the construction of a shed that serves as its first northern depot, and on the additional infrastructure to make the depot a functional distribution and retial point.
“It is very pleasing to see Ohorongo Cement being optimistic to continue to commit to capital projects as it will position them well for future endeavours. As for their presence in Ondangwa, I believe it will support entrepreneurial drives in the four Northern regions” said Kashuupulwa.
The Governor added that the partnership between Ohorongo Cement and TransNamib “has proven to us that the northern railway is a good investment by our government that could bring positive changes to this part of the country. Thus, both the public and the private sectors need take advantage of its strategic location and close proximity to regional and international markets.”
The depot supplies ordinary 32.5-strength plaster cement as well as the higher-rated 42.5 for construction. It also keeps in stock a 42.5 derivative labelled in Portuguese for Angolan buyers.
“We are taking this opportunity to expand while building local value chains and solid business relationships. We believe that the spin-offs from this investment for local entrepreneurs, especially the transporters, will be great,” said Me Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, the Managing Director of Ohorongo Cement.
“This spirit of co-operation and unity of purpose will take our country many steps forward on the path of socio-economic development and the realisation of our national goals such as NDP5, Harambee Prosperity Plan and Vision 2030,” commented Mr Zebby Mukungu, TransNamib’s acting Executive for Commercial and Marketing.
Pictured are, from the left, Councillor Saima Namukwambi of the Ondangwa Town Council, Mr Hans-Wilhelm Schütte, Managing Director of Ohorongo Cement, Hon Clemens Kashuupulwa, Governor of the Oshana Region, Councillor Andreas Kalumbu of the Ondangwa Town Council and Mr Zebby Mukungu, TransNamib’s acting Executive: Commercial and Marketing.
