Nekundi refuses to hand over road project after contractor snubs ceremony

Works and transport minister Veikko Nekundi on Friday refused to hand over phase two of the Tsandi–Onesi–Epalela road project, after the contractor failed to attend the official ceremony at Onesi in the Omusati region.

Nekundi said he would not hand over the project to a contractor who “seemed not to be serious” and who showed “a lack of respect” for the ministry and appointing authority.

Shange JV Indigenous Construction, the company awarded the continuation of the project, did not show up for the groundbreaking ceremony, although the consultant did attend.

“Where is the contractor? Who is she or he? I will not hand over this project if the contractor is not here.

“So if the contractor is not here, who will I give the job to? What kind of disrespect is that? A whole appointed contractor not attending the official handover ceremony because he is busy with something else?

“No, that’s disrespectful and I will not tolerate such kind of disrespect,” he said.

Attempts to get comment from the contractor were unsuccessful as phone calls went unanswered.

Nekundi said investments in road infrastructure are essential for stimulating economic growth, improving service delivery and strengthening connectivity between rural communities and key public institutions.

“This milestone reflects the government’s ongoing commitment to bringing development closer to the people of Tsandi and surrounding villages,” he said.

He added that “Uukoloni weshikisha nomukolo owashula”, loosely translated as “the oppression of flu and cough has come to an end”, captures the community’s relief at a new tarred road that is now dust-free

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