Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Economy, Industry, Public Administration and Planning, led by its Chairperson, Honourable Ipumbu Shiimi, undertook extensive oversight visits in the //Kharas and Omaheke Regions to assess the implementation of key capital projects and development initiatives aimed at strengthening economic growth and improving public service delivery. These visits formed part of the Committee’s mandate to ensure that projects approved under the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) 2023/24–2025/26 are implemented as budgeted and deliver measurable impact.
The Governor of the //Kharas Region, Honourable Dawid Gertze, welcomed the Committee and called for impact-driven leadership, noting that parliamentary oversight plays a crucial role in ensuring accountability and improved service delivery.
The Committee also conducted oversight visits to strategic infrastructure and economic projects in the //Kharas Region, including the Neckartal Dam, listed under Programme NPC 18115 (Construction of Large Dams), the Naute Irrigation Project, and Keetmanshoop Airport, where members inspected the Extension and Upgrading of Meteorological Service Facilities intended to establish a specialised regional office. The Committee further called for suitable land to be made available to enable Phase Two of the Neckartal Dam Irrigation Scheme, which is viewed as critical for expanding agricultural production and improving food security.
The Committee visited beneficiaries of the Equipment Aid Scheme under the Ministry of Trade and Industrialisation. Beneficiaries presented overviews of their business ventures and highlighted how the equipment support has significantly enhanced operational capacity, productivity, and sustainability. The Committee noted that the scheme remains instrumental in empowering local entrepreneurs and stimulating small and medium enterprise (SME) development.
During engagements with officials from the Department of Works and Government Garage in the //Kharas Region, Members expressed concern over inadequate preparedness and the inability of officials to respond to parliamentary queries. The Regional Council Chairperson, Honourable Witbooi, underscored the need for closer scrutiny of government garages due to long-standing operational challenges. The Committee Chairperson emphasized that institutions are informed in advance of oversight expectations and must therefore deploy senior officials and provide relevant documentation.
Members also conducted site inspections of rail infrastructure to gain first-hand insight into operational progress and constraints. The Committee appealed for the expedited completion of the Sandverhaar–Buchholzbrunn railway line, as well as the Aus railway line, stressing their importance for logistics, regional development, and economic integration in the //Kharas Region.
During visits to Lüderitz, the Committee paid courtesy calls to the !Nami-#nus Constituency Office and inspected the Lüderitz Airport , Lüderitz Waterfront (Old Power Station), and Lüderitz State Hospital. These engagements were aimed at assessing whether allocated resources are sufficient and whether projects are yielding tangible benefits for local communities.
In Oranjemund, the Committee was welcomed by Constituency Councillor Honourable Nestor Sheimi, who emphasized the importance of ensuring that parliamentary recommendations are effectively executed by implementing institutions. Particular attention was drawn to the Road Authority Vehicle Testing and Licensing Centre, whose upgrading is expected to restore essential services to residents. During the site visit, Members were confronted with significant operational challenges faced by staff and were shown land earmarked for a new facility. Committee Members expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of senior officials capable of addressing their concerns and indicated that the matter would be escalated to ministerial headquarters.
In the Omaheke Region, the Committee assessed the upgrading of the Gobabis–Aminius and Aminius–Aranos roads (245 km) to bitumen standard. Honourable Ipumbu Shiimi highlighted that the project is a strategic investment that will enhance economic activity, improve mobility, and strengthen public service delivery. He noted that the predominantly farming-based region stands to benefit significantly through improved market access and connectivity.
Honourable Willem Amutenya emphasized that the oversight visits provided valuable insight into the implementation of capital projects, exposing planning and administrative gaps that require corrective action. He noted that these findings will better position the Committee to support informed budget planning and assist Government in realigning administrative systems to improve implementation efficiency.
According to briefings from regional stakeholders, the Committee’s oversight visits in the two regions revealed both progress and persistent systemic challenges. Overall, the Committee reaffirmed its commitment to robust oversight to ensure that public funds are utilised effectively and that development projects deliver tangible and sustainable benefits to communities across Namibia.
