Taxpayers’ money continues to go to waste as the government is yet to address the trend of abandoned capital projects.
According to a report by the parliamentary standing committee on economics and public administration, six projects valued at N$224.5 million have been abandoned or are incomplete.
Some of the projects date back 10 years.
The report released yesterday was a follow-up on agro-processing development projects in the //Kharas, Otjozondjupa, Zambezi, Kavango West and Oshana regions.
Among the projects are vital infrastructure developments at Aussenkehr in the //Kharas region.
The Aussenkehr settlement treatment plant project, valued at N$36 million, was abandoned in 2015 when it was 70% complete.
Similarly, the Aussenkher settlement electricity network project, a N$15-million undertaking, was abandoned in 2016 with 40% of the work done.
The tarring of Aussenkehr settlement roads, a N$12-million project, also ceased in 2015, after 60% of the work was done.
Further south, the Noordoewer settlement sewerage treatment plant project valued at N$19.5 million was abandoned in 2015 at 60% completion.
Meanwhile, the Fonteintjie aquaculture fishing project at Keetmanshoop, a N$22-million initiative spearheaded by the then Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources, was abandoned in 2018 after reaching 80% completion.
And while the country struggles with a high unemployment rate and no space to absorb graduate teachers, the Ambrosius Amutenya Combined School at Oranjemund valued at N$120 million was abandoned in 2015 when it was only 20% complete.
Acting chief regional councilor of //Kharas Ralph Sachika has said the projects were suspended due to a lack of funding.
He asks the government to allocate money for the projects to be completed.
“The projects were merely put on hold as a result of financial constraints. We recommend budget provisions be made to resume the works on-site and complete these long overdue projects,” says Sachika.
LITMUS TEST
Economist Omu Kakujaha-Matundu recently said the culture of ‘no consequences’ has persisted for too long and nobody is held accountable when projects fail or are abandoned.
He said since the president has promised the nation that “it will not be business as usual”, these failed and abandoned projects are the litmus test for the new administration.
“Should the president [Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah]fail to act against those behind such waste of taxpayers’ money, it will compromise her credibility. Everyone who derails projects that are meant for development and job creation should be made to account,” said Kakujaha-Matundu.
Former member of parliament Maximalliant Katjimune says the goverment has to do better at planning and realigning projects with the available capital.
“Part of the problem is that when the goverment plans development projects, it does so without the plan being backed by full capital needed to complete the project,” says Katjimune.
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