Africa > Southern Africa > Namibia > New headquarters of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) will be ready in November

Namibia: New headquarters of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) will be ready in November

2013/09/01

THE new headquarters of the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) in Windhoek's Ausspannplatz area will be ready in November.

SACU Communications Manager, Lindiwe Dlamini told The Namibian that the construction of the building is on schedule, with the concrete and brickwork almost complete.

"The major contractor and all sub-contractors, together with the professional team are working hard to meet the practical completion date, still ensuring a good quality end product," she said. Dlamini said the estimated cost of the building is around N$45 million. Construction started in September last year.

"This is an indication of the commitment of SACU member states towards the continued existence of the customs union as a vibrant regional economic arrangement. The decision to construct a permanent headquarters to home the secretariat was taken by the SACU Council of Ministers on 15 July 2005," Dlamini said.

The ground-breaking was done at the site in April 2010 by the SACU heads of national and government.

"The option to construct a new building complex to home the SACU Secretariat was taken in order to allow for the creation of a coherent, balanced and modern design in keeping with the image of the secretariat. The new building has been designed within entirely new parameters. The current offices occupied by SACU Secretariat belong to the Namibian Government, the Ministry of Works and Transport," Dlamini said.

SACU appointed Barnard Mutua Architects as principal agents. Other companies that are involved in the project include Hendrik Hersleman Quantity Surveyors, Windhoek Consulting Engineers, Seelenbinder Consulting Engineers, Burmeister & Partners and New Era Investments was appointed as the major contractor.

"The building consists of five levels, inclunding the basement parking and the third floor being the executive level. The building has a total floor area of 4,400 square metres and was designed and placed on the site to accommodate for next building expansions," said Dlamini.

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