Rössing Uranium’s N$20 million investment in the DRC police station at Swakopmund has generated over 100 jobs for local residents since construction began in July 2024.
The project is currently 46% complete and expected to be completed by January 2025.
The initiative aims to enhance community safety while providing significant employment opportunities in the rapidly growing DRC area.
“The construction of the DRC Police Station in informal Swakopmund is rapidly gaining shape, currently standing at 46% completion and forecasted for total completion in January 2025. The project, which is solely funded by mining giant Rössing Uranium to the tune of just over N$20 million, was launched in July 2024,” said Rössing Uranium’s Manager for Corporate Communication Daylight Ekandjo.
Ground clearing and construction started at the end of the same month, and almost three months later, the station has rapidly gained shape.
The surrounding community members are in anticipation of the day the station opens its doors to service the fast-growing DRC population.
Located in the informal populous DRC, the police station is located on Erf 8443, Extension 31 land donated by the Swakopmund Municipality Council.
The police station will consist of 4 holding cells each with an exercise courtyard, an interrogation room, a medical consultation room, a visitors room, an armoury room, a records and archives room, an evidence room, four offices including a station commander office and boardroom, ablution facilities, secure passage for inmate drop-offs, a mess room (dining area), a pantry, a laundry room, a staff kitchen, and a server/radio room.
The project has thus far employed just over 100 employees to deliver a state-of-the-art facility, with zero incidents relating to safety reported in the last three months.
Ekandjo, the construction of the station is within working scope and timelines and highlighted that the station’s substructure has been completed, with the main structure currently standing at 70% by the second week of October.
“The team on site has started with the construction of the reinforced concrete roofs to allow the final work to commence and finally deliver the station to the community that has long yearned for the services of the police in the area,” said Ekandjo.
Erongo police commander Commissioner Nikolaus Kupembona applauded Rössing for the fast-paced project, saying this will be one of the national projects that can serve as an example to emulate in the future in terms of delivery.
“I commend Rössing Uranium for the work on the ground. We are excited, and the community members themselves cannot wait for the police station to open. From our management, we are ready to deploy competent men and women in uniform to take up responsibilities at the station and ensure the safety of the community while providing much-needed services to our population,” said Kupembona.
The Commissioner said he was confident that, with due consultation, the new station would comply with the safety protocols and learnings from past similar projects.
Swakopmund Municipality Chief Executive Officer Archie Benjamin highlighted that with the expansion of the coastal town, the station would bolster the safety of the residents in the town, particularly those in the informal area.
“Council is very excited about this project as it complements the municipality’s capital projects, especially those aligned to providing affordable housing for the people in Swakopmund. We appreciate Rössing and Nampol for this project that will most certainly assist with safety in our town,” said Benjamin.
This is one of many other capital investments Rössing Uranium has invested within the Erongo region, fully cementing the mine’s corporate citizenship status.
