EENHANA – Former president Hifikepunye Pohamba has expressed disappointment over prolonged delays in constructing the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust) campus in Eenhana.
Pohamba is also the university’s patron.
Mincing no words, the statesman described the situation as disheartening and unacceptable.
Currently, Nust lessons at Eenhana are held at the Bill Mwaningange Rural Development Centre, a temporary measure pending the campus’s completion.
Speaking at Nust’s 2025 second graduation ceremony held at the rented venue in Eembaxu, Pohamba criticised the lack of progress, despite the official groundbreaking ceremony taking place last year.
“The campus must be completed to give students the learning environment they deserve. It is disheartening to see an initiative of such importance being delayed when the land is there, but only a fence has been put up,” said the soft-spoken former leader.
He thus called on the government to expedite the project, emphasising that simply securing the land without constructing the buildings is inadequate.
“We cannot have it this way. Most of the projects put up by Founding President Sam Nujoma were initiated, and we implemented them,” he asserted.
Pohamba noted that while he appreciates Nust’s efforts to make quality education accessible, the lack of a permanent campus remains a pressing issue.
Responding to Pohamba’s concerns, deputy education minister Dino Ballotti gave the assurance that approximately N$50 million has been allocated for constructing three Nust campuses, including the one in Eenhana.
“The money is there, and we can expect the construction of the Eenhana campus to commence very soon,” he promised.
Ballotti went on to say he has personally requested that the project be prioritised after Pohamba’s public call for action.
However, the lack of tangible progress on the ground continues to frustrate students and community members alike.
Graduates at the ceremony shared Pohamba’s sentiment.
One of the graduates, who excelled with a bachelor’s in public management, said it is disappointing to graduate without ever having set foot in a proper campus in Eenhana.
“We’ve waited too long, and hearing that only a fence is up makes us feel neglected,” she stated.