'Don't-care attitude' costing govt
The high number of capital projects which are idle but incomplete has irked works minister John Mutorwa.
Works minister John Mutorwa has expressed his disappointment over an unfinished meteorological service office situated at the Rundu airport, which should have been completed in 2014.
“I am disappointed because someone was paid with taxpayers' money to construct this infrastructure, but they have not delivered as per the agreement,” Mutorwa said during a site visit on Tuesday.
“It is this don't-care attitude which is costing government a lot of money. There are quite a number of capital projects under the ministry of works that I am aware of that are incomplete, but people are very fast to write out cheques.” Mutorwa did not hold back his discontent over the stalled N$5.7 million project, saying he does not understand why a project that was expected to take one year is still unfinished six years later.
The tender to construct the meteorological service office was awarded to Rundu-based Fermour Investment CC and the site was handed over on 30 August 2013.
The project was expected to be completed by 21 March 2014, but the completion date was later moved to 19 June 2015.
The project is 90% complete and the outstanding work includes the electrification of the building, the installation of air conditioners, as well as a stormwater channel, and dealing with several minor defects.
According to the officials who briefed Mutorwa, the contractor was paid an amount of about N$5.4 million, but the contract was terminated on 18 October 2018, due to non-compliance with deadlines and non-cooperation with the ministry.
The officials also told the minister the contractor had failed to acknowledge receipt of the contract termination. Mutorwa was amazed by the fact that the keys to the premises was still in the contractor's possession.
He instructed the ministry officials to get the keys.
He also called on them to ensure that the project is completed as soon as possible, so the weather experts could move in.
The region's meteorological staff are currently operating from a house in one of Rundu's townships.
KENYA KAMBOWE
“I am disappointed because someone was paid with taxpayers' money to construct this infrastructure, but they have not delivered as per the agreement,” Mutorwa said during a site visit on Tuesday.
“It is this don't-care attitude which is costing government a lot of money. There are quite a number of capital projects under the ministry of works that I am aware of that are incomplete, but people are very fast to write out cheques.” Mutorwa did not hold back his discontent over the stalled N$5.7 million project, saying he does not understand why a project that was expected to take one year is still unfinished six years later.
The tender to construct the meteorological service office was awarded to Rundu-based Fermour Investment CC and the site was handed over on 30 August 2013.
The project was expected to be completed by 21 March 2014, but the completion date was later moved to 19 June 2015.
The project is 90% complete and the outstanding work includes the electrification of the building, the installation of air conditioners, as well as a stormwater channel, and dealing with several minor defects.
According to the officials who briefed Mutorwa, the contractor was paid an amount of about N$5.4 million, but the contract was terminated on 18 October 2018, due to non-compliance with deadlines and non-cooperation with the ministry.
The officials also told the minister the contractor had failed to acknowledge receipt of the contract termination. Mutorwa was amazed by the fact that the keys to the premises was still in the contractor's possession.
He instructed the ministry officials to get the keys.
He also called on them to ensure that the project is completed as soon as possible, so the weather experts could move in.
The region's meteorological staff are currently operating from a house in one of Rundu's townships.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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