Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources (MFMR), Derek Klazen, is deeply concerned by the ministry’s low execution rate of capital projects.
Klazen said this on Wednesday during his address to staff members at the annual staff meeting held in the capital.
The minister expressed worry after visiting capital projects where implementation was low.
“While we have achieved considerable success I am very concerned about the poor progress in the implementation of the ministry’s capital projects. I have noted with concern that the rate of execution of MFMR capital projects remains low,” Klazen said.
He further said the purpose of the projects is to provide infrastructure for effective service delivery to citizens and advised staff members who are responsible in capital projects implementation to ensure the process is sped up.
“I am imploring those involved in the implementation of capital projects to do everything possible, ensure that the low execution rate is done away with and that we fast track the implementation,” he said.
MFMR Executive Director, Annely Haiphene, outlined the main projects that are currently not being executed and the way forward.
She noted that MFMR’s Windhoek Head office has been on a standstill for four years.
“Although the building looks complete from the outside it is not complete inside and has been standing there for many years. The project has been put on hold for four years,” Haiphene said.
Additionally, the ED said the ministry is currently reviving the contracts and is in the process of ensuring by the beginning of the next financial year, which is April 2023, all capital projects should be effectively implemented.
“We have the contractors and all the sub-contractors on site and the work will start,” she assured.
Another programme that has been on a standstill is the ministry’s regional office in Rundu.
“The challenges leading are the capacity of the contractor or the contractor abandoning the site, then you have to go for another procurement process, it really is time consuming,” Haiphene lamented.
Source: The Namibian Press Agency
