The Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service remains silent on the specific date they will move into the building on Independence Avenue, owned by businessman Erastus ‘Chicco’ Shapumba.
It was revealed this year that the ministry signed a lease agreement to pay N$1 million in rental fees per month for three years for Shapumba’s building, which was initially intended to be a hostel.
The ministry currently operates from the Namibia Industrial Development Agency (Nida) at the government office park.
Some staff members are located at the Katutura Community Arts Centre, costing the ministry around N$180 000 per month in rent for the Nida offices.
In April, the executive director of the ministry Mbumba Haitengula, said they had been searching for a suitable building to rent for a long time, and found that Shapumba’s building met their needs.
He emphasised the need for centralised operations to enhance control, and foster a more productive working environment.
The current dispersal of staff hinders supervision and service delivery.
Consolidating all sectors under one roof is expected to improve efficiency and accountability, addressing issues such as limited toilets and poor ventilation in their current locations.
However, football pundit Marco Ndlovu criticised the move, citing the hefty rental fee.
“Firstly, the ministry needs its own head offices. Having their building would have solved all these problems, and we would not have questions about this move. This is not a good move. This means less money for the youth and national services and sports directorates.
“This means that sports federations and the Namibia Sports Commission will not get enough money because rent must be paid,” he argued.
He further stated that this move is financially detrimental to the people the ministry is supposed to serve, highlighting that Shapumba stands to make about N$12 million a year from the deal.
“But secondly, where the ministry is housed is not good. The staff need to work in a conducive environment. So, rather than renting, I wish the ministry would build their own offices, designed to suit their needs. They can then save money to improve operations,” he added.
He also mentioned the significant costs associated with preparing athletes for the Olympics, suggesting that the money spent on rent could instead be used to support athletes’ training and development.
“Imagine, if the ministry was to spend N$12 million on preparing athletes for four years for the Olympics. They could send 12 athletes to the Games,” he said.
During a visit to the building on Independence Avenue, it was observed that contractors were busy with renovations last week.
Despite efforts to get more information, questions sent to Haitengula’s office regarding the renovation progress and the move-in date went unanswered.
There were also no responses about whether the furniture has been sourced for the new building and at what cost, or how parking for the ministry’s buses will be managed in the city centre, where parking is paid for.
-lmupetami@nepc.com.na