CRACKS are beginning to show in the grandiose plan to build a N$41 billion glass factory at Tses village as it has not yet secured government backing.
Launched in 2013 amid much hype, the project got off the ground last month with the recruitment of 670 trainees, who were guaranteed jobs when the construction of the factory commences in September.
However, The Namibian has established that //Karas governor Lucia Basson ordered the project initiator Simon Kapenda to halt the training until her office is provided with documentation including an environmental impact assessment report, company registration papers, and an investment management licence issued by Namfisa.
Basson confirmed on Wednesday that she met Kapenda and the Tses village council political office bearers who committed to donate five hectares for the construction of the ambitious project.
“It’s a good idea. We need the project to reduce the high unemployment rate in the region, but things must be done according to laws and regulations,” said Basson, adding that if the initiator provides her the required documentation, she would recommend central government to support the project.
Basson said Kapenda claimed at Tuesday’s meeting that Ohorongo Cement had committed to invest N$45 million in the project.
Kapenda’s revelations followed a complaint by Tses village council officials that they are in the dark about the project’s potential financiers although they are partners.
According to Basson, Ohorongo Cement denied setting aside N$45 million to fund the project or that they had talks with the initiator to invest in the project when she verified Kapenda’s claims of funding.
Ohorongo Cement marketing and communications manager Carina Sowden yesterday confirmed that Basson had indeed verified with her whether the company had committed to invest in the Tses Glass project, and reiterated: “The company at no stage committed itself to invest in the project or had whatsoever talks about funding it.”
When asked about the funding claims he made to Basson, Kapenda refused to comment. However he said: “That’s not the case, it’s incorrect.”
Briefing the trainees about the turn of events on Wednesday, Kapenda said: “All technical parts were covered, but there are still certain things outstanding on the political side. We are just human beings. We made mistakes. We overlooked things,” said Kapenda in reference to not having secured government backing from the onset.
“Yes, the project got the Tses Village Council and the Berseba regional constituency councillor Dawid Boois’ blessings, but despite attempts to get an audience with the former governor (Bernadus Swartbooi) for political guidance, this meeting never took place,” Kapenda added.
Telling the trainees that Basson had ordered their training to be halted until all documentation is in place, and government has committed its backing for the project, Kapenda remarked:
“We have the money but have four things (documentation) to comply with. The governor has given her blessing to the project”.
Kapenda however failed to tell the trainees how long it would take Groot Group company, which is spearheading the project, to submit all the requested documentation to the governor’s office.
Kapenda told the trainees that they could not be paid monthly allowances of N$300 he had promised them when the training started as the potential investors are reluctant to release funds unless they are provided a letter in which government guarantees commitment to the project.
This, he added, is to be blamed on the negative reports on the project by The Namibian.
“Your last article has killed this project,” Kapenda said angrily.
When some of the trainees insisted that they wanted their allowances, Kapenda told them: “You are not entitled to it. It was a generous allowance the company offered you”.
However, Kapenda pledged that the company will appoint an administrator to pay the trainees through their banks once the potential investors have released the funds.
Kapenda pledged that his company will push to get all documents requested by the governor in the shortest time.
