Oshikoto wants its own education head office
The Oshikoto Regional Education Directorate continues to operate from offices in Ondangwa in the Oshana Region, which is said to be a costly exercise for the government because officials must often drive long distances.
This was one of the challenges that Oshikoto governor Henok Kankoshi highlighted during his State of the Region Address (SORA) this week.
He said regional education offices should preferably be built at Omuthiya, where the Oshikoto Regional Council is already situated.
Kankoshi said it would save officials hundreds of kilometres of travelling if the office was moved to Omuthiya, which is more centrally located.
Currently officials from as far as Tsumeb have to drive about 250 kilometres when they have to attend meetings at the regional office in Ondangwa.
That distance could be reduced to about 220 kilometres.
Besides the added risk of road accidents, the frequent travelling means that the government spends large sums on subsistence and travel (S&T) costs for the officials.
When contacted for comment, Oshikoto Region education director Lameck Kafidi said the situation was serious but there was nothing they could do since budget cuts had put the construction of regional offices on hold.
Kafidi said if the governor emphasised the need for relocating the office, it meant the situation was very serious indeed.
Kafidi said he and his officials were risking their lives by often driving long distances.
He added that the implementation of the Procurement Act would make things even worse for them, as the procurement process requires the director to sign purchase orders before funds are released.
“Some people don't know the exposure at which you put your staff members when they are travelling, that is how serious it is.
We will have to endure the distance and keep travelling,” Kafidi remarked.
He said the expenditure on S&T allowances was very high.
“Imagine if I have to call all my 200 principals for a meeting. How much do you think the government will have to pay for the S&T? It's a lot of money,” Kafidi said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
This was one of the challenges that Oshikoto governor Henok Kankoshi highlighted during his State of the Region Address (SORA) this week.
He said regional education offices should preferably be built at Omuthiya, where the Oshikoto Regional Council is already situated.
Kankoshi said it would save officials hundreds of kilometres of travelling if the office was moved to Omuthiya, which is more centrally located.
Currently officials from as far as Tsumeb have to drive about 250 kilometres when they have to attend meetings at the regional office in Ondangwa.
That distance could be reduced to about 220 kilometres.
Besides the added risk of road accidents, the frequent travelling means that the government spends large sums on subsistence and travel (S&T) costs for the officials.
When contacted for comment, Oshikoto Region education director Lameck Kafidi said the situation was serious but there was nothing they could do since budget cuts had put the construction of regional offices on hold.
Kafidi said if the governor emphasised the need for relocating the office, it meant the situation was very serious indeed.
Kafidi said he and his officials were risking their lives by often driving long distances.
He added that the implementation of the Procurement Act would make things even worse for them, as the procurement process requires the director to sign purchase orders before funds are released.
“Some people don't know the exposure at which you put your staff members when they are travelling, that is how serious it is.
We will have to endure the distance and keep travelling,” Kafidi remarked.
He said the expenditure on S&T allowances was very high.
“Imagine if I have to call all my 200 principals for a meeting. How much do you think the government will have to pay for the S&T? It's a lot of money,” Kafidi said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
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