Councils divert money for capital projects

THE Aranos and Maltahöhe village councils in the Hardap Region have diverted to other uses, government budget allocations intended for capital projects that have direct impact on the lives of the poor.

This was one of the findings of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Constitutional and Legal Affairs, whose chairperson Evelyn Nawases-Tayele disclosed to The Namibian following the committee’s follow-up oversight visits to the Hardap Region.

Nawases-Tayele said that Aranos village council had diverted money meant for the sanitation and water provision project to construct a council office.

The government allocated N$4 million for the current year, N$7 million for 2014/2015, and N$10 million for 2015/2016 for the project set to be implemented over a three-year period.

“The diversion of funds intended for capital projects to other obligations of the councils, is a major challenge which impacts negatively on the government’s commitment to bring services to the people, and denies people basic services they are entitled to,” Nawases-Tayele remarked.

She said Maltahöhe village also spent money, which the government had allocated for the relocation of an oxidation pond on an electrification project in the village’s informal settlement, adding that government had made the budget allocation following complaints by residents about a stench emanating from the pond.

The government had made a total budgetary provision of N$13 million for the project – N$4 million for 2013/2014, N$4 million for 2014/2015 and N$5 million for 2015/2016 – for the relocation of the oxidation pond over a three-year period, Nawases-Tayele revealed.

“Prioritising the electrification project was wrong. It’s a luxury (access to electricity) compared to water and sanitation provisions,” she added.

According Nawases-Tayele, payment differences between a main contractor and sub-contractor had also stalled Gochas’ water and sanitation project, adding that 80% of money had been already released to the main contractor.

She explained that the sub-contractor apparently pulled-out of the project due alleged short payment by the main contractor.

Blaming the diversion of money allocated for capital projects by councils on lack of project management, Nawases-Tayele said the Parliamentary Standing Committee, based on its findings, would recommend that mechanisms which will enable the local government ministry and the National Planning Commission (NPC) to effectively monitor capital projects implementation, must be put in place.

luqman@namibian.com.na

In an age of information overload, Sunrise is The Namibian’s morning briefing, delivered at 6h00 from Monday to Friday. It offers a curated rundown of the most important stories from the past 24 hours – occasionally with a light, witty touch. It’s an essential way to stay informed. Subscribe and join our newsletter community.