Works ministry needs qualified staff
An additional 62 technical staff members are required by the works ministry, in order to implement and monitor 250 construction projects.
A lack of skilled staff is hampering the ministry of works, minister John Mutorwa said when he motivated his ministry's budget vote in the National Assembly.
With regard to construction and building regulations, Mutorwa said the shortage of skilled personnel meant that his ministry would not be able to deliver projects owing to limited supervision.
His ministry had 250 construction projects that would need to be monitored but the task would be hampered, he said.
“With the 47 existing staff establishment of which 16 are technical staff, it is difficult to implement and monitor all the 250 construction projects under the supervision of the directorate that requires an additional 62 technical staff,” said Mutorwa.
“The implementation rate on capital projects will be compromised and would not meet the expectations of government.”
It was essential that the positions be filled, he stressed.
“In order to strengthen the directorate of capital project management, all vacant positions need to be filled,” Mutorwa said.
He also bemoaned the exodus of qualified professionals to the private sector. “Attracting and retaining Namibian professionals remains a challenge because the remuneration packages are very low compared to parastatals and the private sector,” Mutorwa said.
The ministry was further hampered by a lack of support staff.
According to Mutorwa, out of 825 vacant positions, his ministry could only fill 222 positions which were deemed critical.
He implored that the positions be filled urgently.
“It is crucial that these positions be filled soonest as the absence of this expertise is posing service delivery and operational challenges,” said Mutorwa.
The situation was further exacerbated by the expiry of an agreement with the Zimbabwean government. The agreement made provision for Zimbabwean architects and quantity surveyors to work in Namibia.
“The challenge of filling positions that were left vacant with the end of the memorandum of understanding between Namibia and Zimbabwe remains, but this is due to unregistered Namibian professionals,” Mutorwa said.
The works directorate was allocated N$662 million for the year 2018/19. The biggest chunk of this was for the maintenance of government properties, while N$212 million was allocated for the provision of office accommodation.
OGONE TLHAGE
With regard to construction and building regulations, Mutorwa said the shortage of skilled personnel meant that his ministry would not be able to deliver projects owing to limited supervision.
His ministry had 250 construction projects that would need to be monitored but the task would be hampered, he said.
“With the 47 existing staff establishment of which 16 are technical staff, it is difficult to implement and monitor all the 250 construction projects under the supervision of the directorate that requires an additional 62 technical staff,” said Mutorwa.
“The implementation rate on capital projects will be compromised and would not meet the expectations of government.”
It was essential that the positions be filled, he stressed.
“In order to strengthen the directorate of capital project management, all vacant positions need to be filled,” Mutorwa said.
He also bemoaned the exodus of qualified professionals to the private sector. “Attracting and retaining Namibian professionals remains a challenge because the remuneration packages are very low compared to parastatals and the private sector,” Mutorwa said.
The ministry was further hampered by a lack of support staff.
According to Mutorwa, out of 825 vacant positions, his ministry could only fill 222 positions which were deemed critical.
He implored that the positions be filled urgently.
“It is crucial that these positions be filled soonest as the absence of this expertise is posing service delivery and operational challenges,” said Mutorwa.
The situation was further exacerbated by the expiry of an agreement with the Zimbabwean government. The agreement made provision for Zimbabwean architects and quantity surveyors to work in Namibia.
“The challenge of filling positions that were left vacant with the end of the memorandum of understanding between Namibia and Zimbabwe remains, but this is due to unregistered Namibian professionals,” Mutorwa said.
The works directorate was allocated N$662 million for the year 2018/19. The biggest chunk of this was for the maintenance of government properties, while N$212 million was allocated for the provision of office accommodation.
OGONE TLHAGE
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