RUNDU – Regional councils and councils stand accused of creating alternative bank accounts in which they keep unspent money meant for capital projects to prevent these funds being returned to treasury at the end of the financial year.
This activity prompted the Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development (Rtd) Major-General Charles Namholoh during an interview with New Era on Wednesday to warn the perpetrators to refrain from doing so.
“The ministry is aware of some regional councils and local authorities that are creating bank accounts where they are hiding the money so that it cannot go back to treasury. If they did not know, what they are doing is illegal. We know them and we urge them to stop while it’s still early. If you implement the capital projects than there will be no reason to do such things,” said the minister.
New Era last week reported the low implementation rate for projects stunting development after the implementation rate for projects plummeted to 40 percent, from 70 percent recorded as regions struggle to implement capital projects.
Namholoh told this reporter that he is very disappointed with the low implementation scale of capital projects around the country, with some regional councils and local authorities having implementation rates as little as ten percent.
“The performance needs to improve if we want to succeed when it comes to service delivery. Some of the officials become angry when we talk but yet they are the ones who are not delivering,” charged Namholoh.
The minister noted there are some government institutions that lack capacity.
“I will not expose the transgressors or non-performers, we rather encourage them to do better, but surely there will come a time where we will expose them if they continue failing to deliver,” he stated.
Although the central government has decentralised capital projects, some government agents in the regions continue to deliver dismal service to residents. Information provided toNew Era recently by the line ministry shows that several regional councils such as Ohangwena, Omusati, Oshana, Oshikoto, Otjozondjupa, Kavango, //Karas and Kunene are struggling to utilise funds allocated to them.
Municipalities like Omaruru, Mariental, Gobabis, Outjo, Tsumeb, Okahandja, Grootfontein and Windhoek are included in the list. The guilty town councils include Rundu, Nkurenkuru, Katima Mulilo, Arandis, Usakos, Eenhana, Helao Nafidi, Omuthiya, Okakarara, Otavi, Okahao, Outapi, Oshikuku, Oshakati, Ongwediva, Ondangwa, Okakarara and Opuwo. Leonardville Village Council is also listed.
By Mathias Haufiku