Governor orders completion of Okonjatu clinic after 12 years

Governor sets July deadline for long-delayed Okondjatu clinic

Otjozondjupa governor John //Khamuseb has ordered that construction of the Okondjatu health facility be finalised this year after a 12-year delay.

He also called for a decisive shift in how public funds are used, stressing development-focused spending rather than returning unspent budgets.

Speaking at the official opening of the Otjozondjupa Regional Council’s 2026/27 financial year on Tuesday, //Khamuseb expressed strong dissatisfaction with the prolonged construction of the Okondjatu health centre, which has remained incomplete for more than a decade.

“We cannot continue to waste government resources while critical infrastructure remains incomplete. If contractors fail to deliver, they must be removed and replaced. Our people deserve access to healthcare services without further delay,” he said.

The governor described the delay as unacceptable and questioned the lack of accountability and oversight in the project’s implementation.

//Khamuseb said the facility must open by 15 July, warning that underperforming contractors should be replaced without hesitation.

He further stressed that poor coordination and weak project management have contributed to inefficiencies in service delivery in the region, particularly in the health sector.

Decentralisation key

//Khamuseb advocated the decentralisation of capital projects to regional councils to ensure stronger oversight and faster implementation.

In addition to addressing infrastructure challenges, the governor raised concerns over the practice of returning unspent funds to central government, arguing that such resources should instead be redirected towards urgent local development needs.

//Khamuseb highlighted a notable example where N$50 million from the youth fund was redirected to establish a horticulture and aquaculture project at Tsukwe in collaboration with the Namibia Correctional Services.

“This is the kind of practical development we must pursue. Our people need sustainable livelihoods, and agriculture remains a key driver in that regard,” he noted.