Africa-Press – Namibia. A CONSIDERABLE number of government projects worth millions are yet to be completed in the Ohangwena Region, as disputes and contractors unable to meet deadlines leave projects unfinished.
To date, the region is faced with three major projects that are due for completion in the region while their officials continue to pay millions of dollars for rental space.
Ohangwena Chief Regional Officer Fillipus Shilongo said due to the economic downturn they were advised to align their expenditure with the spending to save on funds.
Shilongo was responding to questions asked during the State of the Region Address, saying that the Agricultural Project was held back due to the ongoing Neckartal Dam project where the attention and finance were put.
Shilongo added that completion of the education office was delayed due to poor workmanship and court battles that have been ongoing for a while.
“Construction can surely be achieved now,” he added.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform building is yet to be completed after it was abandoned in 2017 by the contractor who allegedly left the construction site.
The tender was awarded to Spes Bona Construction and Renovations at N$34 million in 2014.
In 2021, Minister of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform Calle Schlettwein during a visit to Eenhana expressed disappointment over contractors failing to deliver after being awarded government tenders.
He said the government will no longer tolerate companies abandoning projects, as it was a waste of taxpayers’ money.
Schlettwein at the time told journalists that the construction of the office was supposed to be completed long ago, but the building stands incomplete for years now.
He said his ministry through the Ministry of Works and Transport has drawn up a list of unfinished capital projects.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is expected to start with construction work for its office after a lengthy period of legal battles. The office was to be constructed at the tune of N$ 70 million.
The government-owned construction company August 26 is to take up the work.
Another building for the Ministry of Veteran Affairs is to be completed once funds are available.
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