Africa-Press – Namibia. Maria David GOVERNMENT garages have become parking lots for broken vehicles instead of serving their purpose by repairing vehicles. At a meeting held at the Ondangwa government garage, Minister of Works and Transport John Mutorwa said these garages are slowly turning into scrap yards.
The Minister is doing inspections of all government garages across the country. Mutorwa said he observed inefficiencies in applying the procurement law at government garages resulting in some vehicles being grounded too long.
He said despite a decision taken some 20 years ago to have the garages outsourced by private companies that could have resulted in efficient work delivery, nothing has been done.
Mutorwa said the 11 government garages across the country have the same problems, of which procurement delays are the main issues. He said at every government garage one will find “a pool of vehicles parked”. Some were involved in accidents while some are in a good condition, requiring only minor repairs.
“Many valid complaints are received on a daily basis about poor work delivery. People complain that they do not at any moment see vehicles being repaired at the garages,” he said.
The Ondangwa government garage caters for the Oshana, Ohangwena, Omusati and Oshikoto regions. Senior artisan Aron Amakali said they currently face a delay in receiving car parts, due to procurement procedures that prolong service delivery.
He said 378 vehicles are stationed at the Ondangwa garage. Of these, 55 are under repair, 14 are earmarked for auction and 309 are ready for use. “It is disappointing to wait three months even for a bulb to come from Windhoek instead of sourcing them locally,” he added.
Amakali said they also require up-to-date machinery such as diagnostic and air-con machines. Mutorwa indicated that 83 vehicles have been grounded at the Rundu garage due to simple parts needed. He said government garages should stockpile parts to avoid waiting months for a small part.
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