Despite a budget allocation of more than N$1 million in the 2023/24 financial year, construction of a vehicle testing centre at Oranjemund is yet to commence.
This was revealed during an oversight visit by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industries, Public Administration and Planning of capital projects at Oranjemund.
Chaired by MP Iipumbu Shiimi, the standing committee expressed concern over delays in the implementation of government-funded socio-economic development projects.
"You understand the frustration of our members of parliament because they go to great lengths and great pains to find money and to improve the structure and service delivery, but we are seeing consistently that oversight visit is that more often than not the money is not spent; it goes back, or it's spent after several years and several delayed deliveries because this money could be used somewhere else on other pressing needs, but there are pressing needs here. We need a fully fledged testing centre, but it's not implemented. This is something we have experienced somewhere we have all been, and that is exactly what a committee must address going forward," emphasised Iipumbu.
The Roads Authority's Section Head in Oranjemund, Mandi Stephanus, reported to the committee that funds intended for the construction project were instead utilised to purchase land.
"What we did was buy land for nearly N$1.1 million last year, which was 2025. We received the deed for signature. Currently we are waiting for our colleagues from the Ministry of Works in Lüderitz. We require a bill of quantity in order For us to do a few renovations with the available funds that we still have until the end of March. We are still waiting for the bill of quantity. We seriously want to move into our new building, but due to the lack of funds, we can't."
The committee also voiced concern over poor planning in implementing government-funded projects.
"We have a problem that our people are suffering, yet we are locating resources, but you are not acting to implement them, so we resolve this issue. That's what is bothering us in this boardroom today. The money is allocated to you, but you are not implementing it; you are not acting. We want to know what causes the delay so we can know the cause that prevents the implementation of this project. "The money is there, the N$30 million, but it's not requested," asked MP Willem Amutenya.