ETOSHA NATIONAL PARK- The Minister of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development, Retired Major-General Charles Namoloh has threatened to withdraw tenders of mass housing contractors who fail to deliver on stipulated deadlines.
There have been reports of delays by contractors regarding the completion of the mass housing projects which are spread over 27 local authorities countrywide.
Namoloh’s warning follows concerns raised by the Kunene Regional Governor Joshua //Hoebeb who expressed disappointment towards delays by contractors constructing the 77 houses under the mass housing initiative in Opuwo.
The governor says the process is moving at a snail’s pace due to a lack of monitoring and supervision.
“The delay is caused by the contractors. These people who are given the tenders are often not on site in order to supervise and monitor the progress,” the Kunene governor said.
“They are wherever they are coming from and so the ordinary workers on the ground are not monitored and guided. The project is not planned in phases.”
“The monitoring system is the weakest link in the Mass Housing Project. The contractors should be monitored and they should not be given tenders and be left like that.”
In reaction, Namoloh had no kind words for contractors delaying government projects and said he would not hesitate to pull tenders from such construction companies.
The Minister said he visited the site in Opuwo on Sunday with President Hifikepunye Pohamba and found some improvement.
“Although the process has been delayed considerably, we found people on site working on Sunday,” he said.
“But the last time I went there, there were no bricks. I threatened to pull the tenders from contractors who do not meet deadlines and requirements. These houses were supposed to be finished and hander over already,” he reacted.
Contractors reigned in are Hadago Investments and New Era Investment.
The Governor said the materials are provided and the construction is now at window level.
//Hoebeb said he cannot entirely intervene because the town council is the direct client.
“This is a matter with the town council. I have spoken to the client of the Mass Housing Project(town council) and expressed my concern. They are in discussion with contractors.”
Opuwo Town Council Chief Executive Officer, Alfons Shitombo refused to comment saying, “I am not comfortable to address issues on mass housing. It is not our project, we only gave them land, so call the NHE (National Housing Enterprise).”
NHE was appointed as government’s execution agency for mass housing.
NHE Manager for Corporate Communication and Marketing, Eric Libongani also refused to shed any light regarding the project, referring New Era to the line ministry.
“I wish to inform you that NHE does not handle media enquiries on the Mass Housing Project. All media enquiries on mass housing are handled by the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development,” Libongani said.