Ongwediva
Omusati chief regional officer (CRO) Protasius Andowa was asked to explain the use of N$12.3 million he had requested from the then Ministry of Regional and Local Government, now renamed Urban and Rural Development.
It is alleged Andowa deceived the regional governor Erginus Endjala when he requested the funds from the ministry.
The money was requested under the pretence that the regional council had depleted its coffers and that the money was needed to finance projects that had already been completed.
However, according to information availed to New Era, the money was allegedly used to settle debts dating as far back as the 2012/13 financial year.
In addition, it is also further alleged that the governor was given misleading information when he prepared his state of the region address.
According to sources the governor was deceived to inform the nation that some capital projects had already been completed whilst they were still incomplete.
The Omusati regional governor confirmed the deceit, saying: “They took us for a ride.”
According to sources within the regional council Andowa is also alleged to have been using council’s fund at his own discretion without council approval.
“Since 2010, there was no budget followed; the CRO has been spending money as he pleases without the blessing of the regional council,” related a source.
It is further alleged the CRO has a tendency of spending more than what the planned projects required.
Some of those projects include the Tsandi pump station which ended up being completed at a cost of N$470 000 instead of the initial N$320 000 in the 2012/2013 financial year.
Also, during the 2014/15 financial year the oxidation ponds at Ogongo, Tsandi and Okalongo had a budget of N$21 million – however council ended up spending N$26 million.
Andowa was put on leave with the deputy director of finance Elizabeth Mutota.
Andowa could still not be reached for comment by yesterday.