Erasmus Shalihaxwe
Urban and Rural Development Minister James Sankwasa says some Windhoek residents are delaying road construction projects due to a lack of patriotism.
Sankwasa made the remarks on Monday during the groundbreaking ceremony of Winnie Mandela Avenue in Windhoek.
He said some individuals are refusing to relocate to allow construction to proceed, not because they have nowhere to go, but because they want to continue running businesses from their informal structures.
In May, the Windhoek Observer reported that business owners along Peter Nanyemba Road, formerly Monte Christo Road, urged the City of Windhoek to revise parts of the ongoing road upgrade project, claiming it is severely affecting their operations.
The N$381 million project, which began in April 2023, is still under construction.
“We need development. Money is made available, contractors are appointed, but contractors don’t finish on time because some feel, ‘I cannot move my shack’… they become obstacles to the construction and expansion of the road. By that, we demonstrate unpatriotism because you delayed a project,” he said.
Sankwasa said while road construction in Windhoek is ongoing, the lack of cooperation from some residents remains a barrier to timely completion and broader development goals.
Sankwasa urged residents to prioritise national interests over personal ones when introducing development projects.
“I take this opportunity to appeal to our citizens and residents of Windhoek that when a project is embarked upon that develops the country, the city, and where everybody else can benefit, please consider that your individual interest should be subordinate to majority interest or national interest,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the misuse of public funds by those entrusted with implementing government projects.
Reflecting on his past three months at the ministry, he said the country does not necessarily lack money but struggles with poor management of the funds that are available.
“The government provides funds to local authorities, regional councils, and other government ministries and offices, yet these funds often face misuse,” said Sankwasa.
He added that high levels of bureaucracy also delay service delivery and hold back progress.
“Bureaucracy is one of our enemies if you want to deliver development in this country. If you are to take the accountability reports at the beginning of the financial year, which are submitted by the Ministry of Finance, and look at how much money is returned to the state coffers… unused, budgeted for but unused by the respective ministries, respective institutions… you will be left wondering, ‘Why did they ask for this money in the first place?’” he questioned.
