Governors want Govt ban on new vehicles lifted

Various governors and chairpersons of regional councils have called for the government’s moratorium on the procurement of new vehicles for government offices, ministries and agencies to be lifted.

The leaders made this plea to the parliamentary standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing, which is currently on an oversight visit to different regions.

A five-year moratorium was imposed by president Hage Geingob in 2020, prohibiting the purchase of new vehicles for ministers and other public employees as part of the government’s austerity measures. The government ceased purchasing vehicles as early as 2015, when former minister of finance Calle Schlettwein ordered a halt in government vehicle purchases. Speaking to the committee yesterday, Omaheke regional governor Pijoo Nganate said his region has felt the negative impact of the moratorium.

He said the government needs to address the issue of procurement and non-functional regional government garages. “Procurement is only done in Windhoek and these regional garages do not even have spare parts in stock,” Nganate said.

The governor said there is a need to reorganise the whole government fleet system. “In Omahake, there is a vocational training centre where students are studying auto-mechanics and engineering. These are the people who can repair government cars.

“They could do their internships there and be of great aid,” Nganate said.

He said there is a need to consolidate all government mechanics to repair government vehicles. Nganate also highlighted issues pertaining to government vehicles not being insured. The governor said public officials are currently driving unroadworthy vehicles.

“These fleets are not reliable at all. Government garages can do better, but they are being run from Windhoek,” Nganate said. Khomas regional governor Laura McLeod-Katjirua yesterday said when she takes her car to the garage, it takes time to get a replacement.

“When my car stays in the garage for less than six months, that car is parked in the sun. It is frustrating and I don’t think the moratorium is working for us,” she said. She suggested better options for dealing with the issue of procuring new cars. “Can I really keep 5 000 old vehicles rather than selling them out and only get 500 new cars that are reliable? They are few, but they are reliable, but now they are many and not reliable, so why do we keep them?” she asked.

McLeod-Katjirua also suggested that the government should outsource vehicles to a company.

The governor said some people are milking the government.

“When I take my car to the garage, I must pay N$20 000 and we are okay with it, because it is attached to the government and therefore the price is hiked,” she said.

//Kharas Regional Council chairperson Joseph Isaacks said if the moratorium remains, regional leaders would not be able to deliver quality services.

“ Sometimes we unfortunately decline to help, because we only have two buses, while communities may need four,” he said. Isaacks said the regional leadership cannot serve residents without proper fleets. “We are here to provide services to the people, but our hands are tied,” he said. The Brief in March reported that in an effort to improve operational efficiency, the government plans to spend about N$210 million on new vehicles.

WORKS MINISTRY RESPONDS

Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Julius Ngweda yesterday said there have been delays in the procurement of vehicle parts previously.

He said the ministry has now purchased enough parts, which are currently in stock at government garages.

“There were some delays in the procurement process, but now I can confidently say we have enough parts in stock and are available,” Ngweda said. He said 4 000 government vehicles are currently in use.