By William Mbangula
Oshakati
The Namibia National Constructors Association (NANCA) has been urged to look into the critical challenges it faces and come up with business strategies in order to gain a competitive edge in the industry.
The Governor of Oshana, Clemens Kashuupulwa, said this when he officially opened the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of NANCA on Thursday, June 28.
Said Kashuupulwa: “I call upon NANCA to keep on uniting as ever before. This will make the association financially strong to compete with other rival construction companies in the region.”
According to the Governor, the AGM marks another milestone in the growth of NANCA as members take stock of the role played by the association over the past 16 years. NANCA, he said, has been successful in organizing former disadvantaged local contractors to form a strong association.
He noted: “NANCA has been exceptionally good in organizing its members to unite and excel. It proved to be one of the black empowered construction associations that constructed a number of schools in the country such as Negumbo Secondary School and Mwadikange Kaulinge Secondary School.
It went as far as training its members to manage and control their sub-contract companies to become fully-fledged companies.”
The meeting elected a new executive committee. Long-serving treasurer, Ben Zaaruka, declined nomination but said he would remain a member of the association. Zaaruka, despite ceaseless pleadings from the meeting to stand for re-election, declined. He said he was preoccupied with running his own business and would like to give a chance to new blood.
Zaaruka was recently at the centre of accusations by some disgruntled former members of NANCA who claimed he was manipulating things in the association as a treasurer and main supplier of material to NANCA members. He has denied any wrongdoing.
Presenting the financial report of the association, Zaaruka told the meeting that NANCA had a surplus of N$142??????’??