Insufficient budget allocations have delayed completion of the Kavango West Regional Council Office, forcing the council to spend N$120,000 monthly on rent since construction began in 2021.

Originally slated for completion in 2024, the project, encompassing the governor's office, 94 offices, a multi-purpose hall, and more, is now progressing slowly due to funding gaps. The total cost is estimated at N$190 million.

Chief Regional Officer Matheus Singambwe explained the challenges. "It has taken a lot from the development budget. This is a continuation budget," he said. "If you look at our records, you will see that this project started in 2021. Although there is a budget allocated, we received it in portions. And we are not receiving it at the level that we would have wanted. You will see that at some point, we had to slow down on the construction because the funds were not enough."

Singambwe prioritised the project over others to avoid abandoning it midway. "We selected this project above the others because it's a continuation. We cannot leave it in the middle," he added. "As you can see, the office space is a much more basic need for us as a regional council. We are renting all our spaces. We are currently using residential properties for our operations, and the facility you see now belongs to a private individual from whom we are renting. We want that office to be completed so we can finally own a building of our own and stop renting. But we have made it a priority that we need to complete it."

The council hoped to occupy the fully fledged office last year, but pending invoices stalled progress. "We are a regional council that is very hopeful that things are going to get better with time, and we are very grateful that as things get better, especially if our office is completed and we remove the rental, we will at least have extra funds to use for operational activities because much of our money now goes to rent," Singambwe noted.

He confirmed the project is in its final stage, with this year's allocation expected to wrap it up.