Region 5 Games still owes service providers

SEVERAL service providers contracted for the 2025 Region 5 Youth Games are still awaiting payment months after delivering their services.

In a written response to The Namibian Sport, the Region 5 Local Organising Committee (LOC) confirmed that a number of service providers have not been paid yet, citing staged government disbursements and ongoing reporting and audit processes.

“Yes, several service providers have not received their payments,” says Region 5 Youth Games general manager Jacqueline Hertze.

“Payments from the government have always been done in stages, and the current phase involves the reporting and auditing of partly released funds before final payments are processed.”

Affected company Ngileni Trading CC says it was contracted through a University of Namibia representative in July to provide tables, chairs and decorations across 13 sport fields in Windhoek.

The contract followed the successful application to an advertisement in April.

The company says it was the sole service provider responsible for décor, tables and chairs in Windhoek and delivered the services as agreed. However, full payment has yet to be received.

Ngileni Trading CC says the original invoice, valued at approximately N$300 000, was later reduced by about N$80 000, placing additional financial strain on the business.

As a result, the company was forced to take out loans to pay suppliers and staff while waiting for the outstanding funds.

Ngileni Trading CC also raised concerns over another company, reportedly from Norway, being paid shortly after the event for providing services to only one sport field, allegedly for the same amount Ngileni Trading CC itself was expected to receive for servicing 13 venues.

“This company did not go through the expression of interest process,” the company said. “It is difficult to understand how they were prioritised.”

Hertze says all companies contracted for the games met the required standards and qualification criteria, adding that settlement terms differ from one service provider to another.

“Each company has its own agreement on settlement terms, and therefore one company cannot be compared to another,” she says.

She says all outstanding payments have been listed and submitted to the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture through the executive director responsible for sport, and the government remains committed to settling the outstanding bills.

“The games still have some outstanding payments to make to service providers, and it is the professional and important thing to do to ensure those who contributed to the successful hosting of the biggest multi-sport event in the Southern African Development Community region are paid,” Hertze says.

The ministry has directed enquiries on outstanding payments to the Region 5 LOC.

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