Windhoek — Namibia will release about US$997 000 (N$8 million) for the construction and equipment of a primary school in Lubango, the regional capital of Angola's southern Huila province, the Angolan press agency Angop reported this week.

The school will have six classrooms, two residences and an office for the headmaster.

It will also have a playground for 420 students in two shifts.

The contract for the project was signed last Friday by Lubango's administrator, Virgilio Tyova, and the Namibian ambassador to Angola, Lineekela Mboti.

On the occasion, Mboti said the gesture was in recognition of the contributions Angola had made to the Namibian liberation struggle.

The project was supposed to include the rehabilitation of the dilapidated Lubango cemetery, where many Namibians are buried.

Former President Sam Nujoma, President Hifikepunye Pohamba and Foreign Affairs Minister Marco Hausiku visited Lubango in February 2005.

During this visit, Nujoma made a commitment to the Lubango community to build a school for them as a token of appreciation for the sacrifices they had made and the sufferings endured during the liberation struggle on behalf of the Namibian people and Swapo.

The funds are said to come from the Namibian treasury, which is taxpayers' money.