NKURENKURU – Kavango West governor Sirkka Ausiku has accused the finance ministry, National Planning Commission and other governmental agencies of continuously disregarding the region when allocating resources and implementing projects.

She said entities such as the Central Procurement Board, NamPower, Nored, NamWater, Roads Authority, Telecom, MTC, AMTA and Nida are applying “unconscious biases” when it comes to resources allocation.

“These offices, ministries and agencies continue to disregard official statistics when allocating resources to regions, and do whatever they want. They must remember that they are not building Namibia in the long run,’’ she charged during the groundbreaking ceremony of the Nkurenkuru-Nepara road earlier this week, which will now be upgraded to a tarred road.

The project will be executed in two phases at a total cost of N$29.9 million, of which phase one will be done in 10 months and will cover the first 10km of the 28km stretch. Phase two will comprise the last 18km.

The groundbreaking ceremony was officiated by works minister John Mutorwa.

“My appeal once again, comrade minister, to you and other economic ministries and their public enterprises, is to be guided by the available statistics when allocating resources to regions to achieve prosperity for all Namibians,’’ reiterated
Ausiku. 

She questioned why the Roads Authority is upgrading gravel roads to tarred roads in some regions, while some are still dominated by sandy roads.

She stressed that the country’s procurement/tendering system is not fair in the distribution of resources to all regions. 

“Organisations, ministries and agencies are not sensitive to this matter, although there was a circular from the ministry of finance to procure locally. Some organisations, ministries and agencies are even bringing companies to render services like providing tents and black plastic chairs to events like this. It is high time for organisations, ministries and agencies to be fair to all regions when the allocation of resources is concerned,” she continued.

Ausiku requested Mutorwa to ensure that tenders for clearing and road maintenance must be reserved and allocated to local entrepreneurs.

The governor said the region hopes that the contractor for the Nkurenkuru-Nepara project will sub-contract or offer employment to locals in the immediate surroundings who need to provide for their families in a region where unemployment is high. 

On his part, Mutorwa said at least 15% of the contract price’s worth should be sub-contracted to SMEs which are wholly Namibian-owned.

“I have been informed that approximately 100 employment opportunities will be created during the construction phase,” he noted. 

Mutorwa advised the contractor to provide these employment opportunities to locals so they can at least get an income to improve their lives while the project is ongoing.

“As we commence the construction of this low-volume seal road, we are laying the foundation for progress and connectivity. Once completed, this road will improve road safety, road efficiency as well as reduce road user costs and reduce road maintenance costs, which will stimulate the local economy and contribute to the overall well-being of our people,” the  minister observed.

- jmuyamba@nepc.com.na