By Catherine Sasman
WINDHOEK
Antiquated buildings and equipment, and overstretched budgetary allocations were given as reasons for the sorry state of countless Government buildings.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works, Transport and Communication, Shihaleni Ndjaba, told the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Human Resources, Social and Community Development at a public hearing yesterday that his ministry has only N$238.50 available for each Government-owned building per month for renovation and maintenance work.
The budgetary allocation to the ministry for repair and maintenance in the current financial year is N$135 million.
Of this, said Ndjaba, 50 percent goes towards remuneration of staff, 7.5 percent to transport costs, and 12.5 percent is spent on utility costs that include fuel to generator sets.
The remaining 30 percent (about N$30-40 million) goes to physical maintenance activities that involve regular services of all electrical and mechanical installations, emergencies and routine maintenance of buildings and infrastructure.
“Buildings are in a bad state and the problem is nationwide,” Ndjaba acknowledged.
“We are just chasing eruptions due to limitations,” he added, referring to the deluge of underground water pipes that had to be replaced when they burst over the last number of months.
He said the Department of Works responsible for the renovation and maintenance of Government buildings is relegated to respond to emergencies and breakdowns only.
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