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29 March 2024

Council of Ministers site visit of the SACU Headquarters Building

28 June 2013

Windhoek, Namibia:- On Friday 28 June 2013, the SACU Council of Minister’s together with their delegations will, conclude their meeting with a site visit of the SACU Headquarters Building construction site, to view progress thus far. This will be the first official tour by the Member States since the construction of the building commenced.

Following the unveiling of the plaque at the site of the new SACU Headquarters to be built in Windhoek, Namibia, on Thursday, the 22nd April 2010 in Windhoek, Namibia, by the SACU Heads of State and Government, the work on the construction of the SACU Headquarters Building began in earnest on 6 September 2012. This is an indication of the SACU Member states commitment towards the continued existence of the Customs Union as a vibrant regional economic arrangement.

This all came about after the decision of the SACU Council of Ministers of 15 July 2005, to construct a new SACU Secretariat Headquarters Office. The option to construct a new building complex to house 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 Southern African Customs Union Secretariat. The new building was to be designed within entirely new parameters.

After the conclusion of detailed technical, engineering and architectural planning by Bernard Mutua Architects under the guidance of the Task Team on the SACU Headquarters Building, which has full representation of all SACU Member States, the Secretariat concluded a contract with the contractor, New Era Investments (Pty) Ltd, and the construction site was handed over to the contractor, marking the commencement of the project. The Ministry of Finance, Namibia, as the Host Ministry assisted the Secretariat with regard to the rezoning process that was carried out by the City of Windhoek as part of the final procedures in preparation for the commencement of the project. The Headquarters project was granted exemption from the payment of betterment fees, as well as the environmental clearance certificate, all of which ensured that the building plans were approved by the City of Windhoek and the budget as approved by the SACU Council of Ministers for the project was contained.

The building complex has been properly placed on the site. The location of the site has places the building complex on an “island” surrounded by major traffic routes on all sides, and for that reason care has been taken to ensure that vehicular access, proper circulation and maximum safe parking has been provided, through optimised levels and a large and functional basement area which allows for more efficient development. Proposed developments of new roads in the area could expose the building complex to a high level of traffic noise in future. The creation of a “quiet zone” or central courtyard area is an advantage. Overall the new SACU Headquarters building will be a major fixed asset for the Customs Union and is also expected to project an aesthetically acceptable image in line with the desired SACU image.

The estimated duration for the construction work is fourteen months (14), with the expected completion date being 6 November 2013.

SACU Secretariat
Windhoek
Namibia
Tel: + 264 61 243 950
Fax: + 264 61 245 611
Mobile: + 264 81 122 9499
Info@sacu.int