Windhoek
What was initially hailed as a historic milestone for capacity building in the vast Erongo Region has now gone awry.
Building of the highly anticipated Olympic Africa Foundation Stadium in the sleepy town of Omaruru has become a nine-day wonder, after those entrusted with the implementation of the project failed to get out of first gear.
Exactly seven years since the groundbreaking ceremony in 2008, construction work on highly publicised and multi-faceted Olympic stadium has hit a brick wall. The much-trumpeted stadium was due to have been in full operation by the end of May this year.
New Era Sport has, however, learned through reliable sources that the yet to be completed facility was initiated by Omaruru Town Council under the stewardship of former mayor Mike Tjirare.
The latter forwarded the proposal to the Dakar-based Senegal Olympic Africa Foundation. The envisaged Olympic Village was intended to provide recreational facilities for the town’s inhabitants, including various community activities, a garden, after-school programmes and a high performance centre.
The Omaruru Municipality availed the land and fenced off the demarcated area for the construction of the integrated stadium at its own costs, as part of its social responsibilities.
Although the town council initiated the project, the National Schools Sports Union (NSSU) was apparently given the sole responsibility to administer funds provided for the construction.
Contacted for comment, NSSU Chief Administrator, Solly Duiker, vehemently denied NSSU’s attachment or involvement in the construction of the stadium, referring all queries to the portfolio ministry.
Residents say the buck stops with the Ministry of Rural and Urban Development. Former line minister, Charles Namholo grounded the entire council following an array of damning allegations, ranging from insubordination, embezzlement of public funds, self-enrichment and maladministration.
Subsequently, Namholo appointed Linus Garoeb to run an eye over municipal affairs in the interim. However, Garoeb’s presence has been placed under the microscope and the dominant belief is that there is a shortfall in the legitimacy of the appointed official.
“This whole debacle has been lionised by that appointment, because the law states very clearly that the town’s affairs should be administered by elected councilors not appointed ones.
“He [Garoeb] has no legal standing to address or interact with the community since he is not an elected member of the town council, as prescribed by law,” charged an irate resident who requested that his identity be withheld for fear of reprisals.
Meanwhile, municipal officials have also come under heavy criticism from residents for increasing the rental fee for the usage of the Maboke stadium – without prior consultation. Would-be users are now obliged to cough up a refundable deposit of N$800, on top of the normal rental fee of N$228 – almost an 80% increase on the original fee.