The Namibian National Parks Programme or NamParks Initiative:
The Namibian National Parks Programme or NamParks is a programme of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) of the Republic of Namibia. This programme was established in 2006 and is supported by the Federal Republic of Germany through the KfW Development Bank. The first three phases of the project concentrated on the Bwabwata, Khaudum, Mudumu and Nkasa Rupara (formerly Mamili) national parks in North-Eastern Namibia. The fourth phase concluded interventions in the North-eastern Parks and commenced with interventions in the Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgbiet) National Park. Each of the NamParks projects consists of 4 to 5 result areas in which different intervention measures are to be implemented.
The NamParks V Programme aims to:
ECORYs Netherland B.V. in association with GOPA Worldwide Consultants and LCE, were appointed to the NamParks V Project, where LCE are responsible for the Result 1 intervention, namely the provision of adequate park infrastructure.
The existing facilities in these various parks were assessed against the needs identified by MEFT and the scope of the additional facilities to be provided was defined. Following approval by MEFT and KfW, concept designs for this infrastructure were prepared based on the standard / type designs prepared for the Tsau//Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Park, adapted to suit the coastal environment. Following MEFT and KfW’s approval of the concept designs, detailed designs were prepared and then tender documents and specifications which complied with the latest version of the KfW Procurement Guidelines. LCE is busy supporting the PEA in the tender administration and adjudication procures and will be responsible for conducting the project management, contract administration as well as construction supervision and quality control.
Cape Cross Station in the Cape Cross Seal Reserve:
The new infrastructure constructed consists of a new park entrance gate and signage wall; a new office / tourist reception; one garage building with 4 bays; a service building with wash bay, refuse area, generator, batteries and inverter and various stores; two duplex 2-bedroom houses (4 units); one single 1-bedroom house (1 unit); a wastewater treatment plant; a new solar PV power supply system with standby generator; upgrading of the existing water supply system; demolition of all obsolete infrastructure; conversion of the existing office into a guest unit and renovation of the existing two houses.
Ugabmund Station on the boundary of the Skeleton Coast and Dorob National Parks:
The new infrastructure constructed consists of a new park entrance gate and signage wall; a new office / tourist reception;, a new recreational building; an ablution block; two garage buildings with 4 bays each; a service building with wash bay, refuse area, generator, batteries and inverter, evidence store, maintenance, oil and fuel and other storerooms; one 3-bedroom house; seven duplex 2-bedroom houses (14 units); a new wastewater treatment plant; a new solar PV power supply system with standby generator; upgrading of the existing borehole installation; construction of a new accessible water tower (which can also be used as a lookout); three emergency camp sites for visitors arriving after sunset and demolition of all obsolete infrastructure.
Springbokwasser Station in the Skeleton Coast National Park:
The new infrastructure constructed includes a new park entrance gate and signage wall; a new office / tourist reception; a new recreational building; an ablution block; two garage buildings with 4 bays each; a service building with wash bay, refuse area, generator, batteries and inverter, evidence store, maintenance, oil and fuel and other store rooms; a workshop incl. building and fencing materials; a tools and vehicle parts store; office and equipment parking; one 3-bedroom house; seven duplex 2-bedroom houses (14 units); a new wastewater treatment plant; a new solar PV power supply system with standby generator; a new borehole installation with elephant protection enclosure and a new elevated water tower.
Möwe Bay Station Station in the Skeleton Coast National Park:
New infrastructure was developed and included a new symbolic gate including signage wall; a new office / tourist reception / museum; a combined recreational building / ablution block; a service building with wash bay, refuse area, generator, batteries and inverter, general, tools and cleaner and oil and fuel stores; one garage building with 4 bays; three duplex 2-bedroom houses (6 units); one single 1-bedroom house (1 unit); an existing duplex house was converted to a guest house; a new wastewater treatment plant; a new solar PV power supply system with standby generator and refurbishment of the existing desalination plant.
Gobabeb Research and Training Institute in the Namib-Naukluft National Park:
The construction works consisted of four bachelor duets (8 units) and remedial work to the existing sewer system.
Sesriem Station in the Namib-Naukluft National Park:
The new infrastructure developed includes the renovation and upgrading of the existing entrance gate; a combined new office / tourist reception with integrated new park entrance gate and signage wall; a service building including wash bay, refuse area, generator room, evidence store, maintenance room, oil and fuel and other storerooms; a large ablution block; one 3-bedroom house; four duplex 2-bedroom houses (8 units) and one 2-bedroom single house; renovation of three existing 2-bedroom staff houses; a new wastewater treatment plant; a new borehole with solar PV installation and a new solar PV power supply system with standby generator.
Environmental, Social and Health & Safety Compliance:
The measures and actions as set out in the Project Environmental; and Social Impact Assessment, including the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) will be implemented diligently and completely. The construction and operation ESMP developed for Phase IV of the programme was commended by KfW and will be adapted and improved to suit the specific conditions of the area and the adjacent communities affected under Phase V. All occupational and public and safety provisions will be consistent with national requirements and international good practice standards and be included in the construction contracts for appointed contractors and subcontractors to comply with. A grievance mechanism will be developed for the general public and in particular the project affected communities and workforce..
Location: Skeleton Coast, Dorob, Namib-Naukluft and Tsau //Khaeb (Sperrgebiet) National Parks
Project Value: N$ 205 million (estimated)
Commencement: 2019
Further information on this project can be obtained from the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism.
