Sport ministry unaware of RCC’s N$500-million development bank loan

The Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sport, Arts and Culture says it is not aware of the Roads Contractor Company’s decision to request an additional N$500 million loan to build sport stadiums countrywide.

Executive director for sport, youth and national service Gerard Vries says the ministry has not appointed the RCC to represent the government in sourcing funding from the Development Bank of Namibia (DBN).

He says the government’s funding of N$5-million per facility is aligned with phase 1 of the stadiums project and is part of a broader, long-term, national infrastructure development plan.

“The ministry wishes to state unequivocally that it has not appointed, mandated, or entered into any form of agreement with the RCC to represent the government in sourcing funding for the construction of sport infrastructure.

“Furthermore, the ministry is not aware of, nor is it party to, any loan application or financing arrangement between the RCC and the Development Bank of Namibia in relation to sport infrastructure development,” he says.

This comes after The Namibian on Wednesday reported that the acting chief executive of the RCC, Dasius Nelumbu, on 30 March sent a letter to DBN chief executive Titus Ndove, asking for this loan.

According to the letter, which The Namibian has seen, Nelumbu said the additional N$500 million would enable the company to deliver standardised, quality facilities nationwide.

“The ministry remains the custodian of sport infrastructure development in Namibia and will continue to implement its national programme in a structured, phased, and accountable manner to ensure equitable access to sporting facilities across all constituencies,” Vries told The Namibian on Tuesday.

He said the allocation of N$5 million per constituency is a deliberate and strategic intervention by the government to kick-start the development of basic sport infrastructure across all regions.

“This initial phase is funded from the 2025/26 financial year budget. The government has adopted a phased implementation approach through which additional funding will be allocated in subsequent phases under the current financial year and beyond.

“This ensures the progressive development and upgrading of facilities in a sustainable and fiscally responsible manner,” he said.

Vries said all sport infrastructure development undertaken under government programmes is implemented in accordance with approved policy frameworks, planning processes, and budgetary provisions under the ministry’s authority.

“It is therefore incorrect to characterise the N$5-million allocation as insufficient, as it is aligned to the defined scope of phase 1 and forms part of a broader, long-term national infrastructure development plan.

“The ministry reiterates that there is no existing or planned agreement with the RCC in relation to sport infrastructure development projects. Accordingly, the ministry has not approved, endorsed, or provided guidance on the reported funding request, nor can it confirm any alignment with government policy,” he said.

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