Windhoek:The Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security has announced that significant renovations planned for several border posts have been delayed due to insufficient funding. This announcement was made by Minister Lucia Iipumbu in response to a query in the National Assembly regarding the conditions at the Noordoewer and Violsdrift border posts.

According to Namibia Press Agency, the query was raised by Independent Patriots for Change lawmaker Vilho Ihemba, who expressed concerns about the poor working and living conditions at these borders. Issues highlighted included a significant crack in a new office building at Noordoewer and reports of officers drinking unfiltered river water.

Ihemba questioned the minister on immediate measures for providing potable water, the status of water purification equipment, renovation plans for government housing, and steps to address the structural issues at the Noordoewer office building. In response, Minister Iipumbu acknowledged the necessity for ongoing maintenance and upgrades at ports of entry.

The minister noted that a renovation plan for border facilities had been submitted by the relevant department as early as 2024. However, she explained that the lack of funds in the current budget has prevented the commencement of major renovation projects.

Despite these financial constraints, Iipumbu emphasized that the ministry is committed to assessing and prioritizing infrastructure needs at entry points, with minor improvements being implemented where possible. She assured that the ministry remains dedicated to providing adequate working conditions for officials and ensuring a satisfactory service environment for the public.