Swakopmund:Private companies may be hesitant to invest significantly in education infrastructure due to concerns about the maintenance and protection of facilities once they are handed over to schools and education authorities.

According to Namibia Press Agency, this issue was a key topic at the Erongo Education Infrastructure Investment Conference held in Swakopmund. Panellists discussed enhancing partnerships among the government, businesses, and communities to meet the region's education infrastructure needs.

During the conference, John Moody, Vice President for Processing at Swakop Uranium, emphasized the need for accountability before companies commit resources to such projects. He highlighted that businesses require assurances that the infrastructure they support will be properly maintained and effectively utilized.

Simeon Kanime, National Housing Enterprise's regional manager for the west branch, noted that the private sector's response depends on clearly communicated and prioritized needs from the government. He urged for the identification and documentation of schools' needs, especially in rural areas, to attract potential investors.

The panellists also advocated for better coordination of corporate social responsibility initiatives from the private sector. This would ensure that resources are directed towards priority areas rather than dispersed across various projects. Moody suggested creating a 'one single point of contact' for businesses to engage with the government on infrastructure needs.

Maintenance of facilities emerged as another significant concern, with warnings that poor upkeep could undermine investments made by both the government and private sector.