RUNDU – Works and transport minister John Mutorwa says government activities are being stalled due to grounded vehicles laying idle while waiting for authorisation to procure parts from Windhoek. This practice, according to the minister, takes some time, and in the end cripples government operations. “I don’t blame these people. You saw their file; they have done their part of getting three quotations, and have send them to Windhoek as per procurement policy procedures,” said Mutorwa. who visited the Rundu government garage last week. “For every small part, authorisation must be acquired from Windhoek. That is not effective and efficient administration.” The minister said government depends on the mobility of its fleet. However, the practice of centralising the entire procurement process was resulting in unnecessary delays. “I have been saying at least a certain amount of money, for example, let us say N$40 000 that needs to be decided upon to purchase spare parts, not above this determined amount. He or she (government garage officials) should have the power to go around local spare shops for spare supplies, and can sign for it. Of course, there will be controls,” he stressed. During his visit, Mutorwa was informed that 83 vehicles were grounded at the Rundu government garage due to parts that need to be authorised for purchase in Windhoek. “As you can see, there are cars standing everywhere, waiting for spare parts. The challenges this foreman has said here is what all are saying at all government garages, and I don’t blame the artisans. They want to work, but they can’t because they have sent their submissions to buy spare parts to Windhoek for someone to authorise, as required by the procurement procedures. But there is their file, and none is responded to,” he added. He said government, through the ministry of finance and the decentralisation policy, should allow heads of government garages to at least have authority to authorise a certain budget. “Through the decentralisation policy that we have in this country, there must also be some kind of decentralisation or delegation of authority and power to the people sitting at government garages in the regions in order to keep things moving; not for every small part should authority be from Windhoek,” he continued. Most cars at the Rundu government garage are parked due to missing minor spare parts. The garage has followed the procurement procedures and has been waiting for approval to purchase these spare parts. Some cars have been grounded since 2020. “I am not against control. Control should be there, but flexibility, and to ensure efficiency and effectiveness is important to say under my authority as the regional person, I can only authorise to go and buy spare parts under this amount. I will still take it up at a high level,” he stated.
jmuyamba@nepc.com.na
Caption
Seeking solutions… Works and transport minister John Mutorwa with the head of the Rundu government garage, Abel Shaapa.