Fisheries splashes N$2m on rent …after contractors abandoned a N$35m office project

By Kaipaherue Kandjii

The fisheries ministry has spent more than N$2m paying rentals after a contractor abandoned an N$35m office construction project in Rundu.

In 2012, a construction firm, Oume, was offered the project to construct the office for N$14m, which, however, came to a standstill due to unspecified reasons, which, after a hiatus, resulted in the termination of the contract by both parties.

In August 2015, a new firm, Africa Civil Engineering, secured a N$16m contract to complete the office, which has since become an eyesore, before they abruptly left, yet again, due to “problems with payment and tendered rates.”

The fisheries ministry cancelled the contract with Africa Civil Engineering in October 2018.

Fisheries public relations officer Uaripi Katjiukua confirmed to Confidente that the site has been abandoned for the past decade.

Katjiukua said the fisheries ministry rented office space from NIDA between 2016 and 30 October 2022.

“The amount spent on this lease is N$1.5m in total—currently, the ministry rents from Rossa Welding and Construction.

The lease started on 1 November 2022 and is valid until 31 March 2025, and the ministry anticipates to spend N7 400 in total, ” Katjiukua said.

Katjiukua said progress on the project is about 65 per cent and that the ministry intends to complete the construction of stormwater during the 2024/2025 financial year and, after that, continue with the construction of offices.

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