Khamuseb flags health, sanitation project challenges - nbc

Otjozondjupa Governor John ||Khamuseb has raised concerns over challenges in implementing capital projects in the health and sanitation sectors.

He voiced this during a courtesy call by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Gender Equality, Health and Social Welfare at Otjiwarongo.

||Khamuseb said numerous projects remain dormant, incomplete, or nonfunctional despite multi-year budgeting due to poor supervision and uneven capital availability.

"Okondjatu healthcare centre, these projects have remained incomplete for more than 12 years. The prolonged delay has deprived the community and surrounding areas of essential health services and continues to burden nearby facilities. Tsumkwe sewage ponds: Despite existing sewerage infrastructure, no effluent reaches the designated point," said ||Khamuseb. He added that "Instead, wastewater flows openly through residential areas, and animals drink from the contaminated water. The situation poses severe public health and environmental risks, requiring urgent intervention. Coblenz sewerage pump station: this project remains incomplete and non-operational, rendering the broader system ineffective and worsening sanitation challenges. Sewerage systems in many towns and villages are overwhelmed; infrastructure designed for 5,000 people now serves over 40,000."

The governor called on the committee to impose penalties on contractors failing to complete their work.

These cases highlight broader systemic issues in monitoring government-funded capital projects, including weak contract management, poor supervision, and a lack of accountability.

Committee Chairperson Nono Katjisingua commended the governor's oversight on 2021–2024 development budgets. She said incomplete projects will be investigated, with reports tabled in Parliament for action.

"Our aim and objective through parliamentary oversight is to scrutinise whether government policies, programmes, and projects have been implemented and achieved their desired impact. I heard the governor mention tenderprenuership, those not finalising tenders on time. They should be inspected, monitored, enquired into, and reported back to the committee."

The committee will visit health centres and projects across the region from 19 to 30 January.

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