‘Govt cars are not safe’

Otjozondjupa governor James Uerikua says the government vehicles public officials are currently using are unsafe, old and unreliable.

Uerikua said this on Tuesday while sharing his views on the government’s moratorium on the procurement of new vehicles for government offices, ministries and agencies with the parliamentary standing committee on transport, infrastructure and housing.

The committee is currently on an oversight visit to various regions.

President Hage Geingob imposed a five-year moratorium in 2020 on 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.

“These cars are old and their lifespans are long surpassed. They are not safe at all. As a result they become an economic burden,” Uerikua said.

He told the committee that some government vehicles have covered over 300 000km.

“The safety of the occupant and user is not guaranteed at all,” he said.

He said the moratorium, however, does have a positive impact on economic retention in the Ministry of Works and Transport.

“I understand the moratorium was imposed after the public office-bearer commission officials did an assessment and recommended it. I don’t know to what extent the assessment was done in terms of consultation, however,” Uerikua said.

He said the regional leadership was not considered in terms of consultation.

Uerikua said he often receives calls from colleagues experiencing vehicle breakdowns.

“Most of the time I even lend them my government vehicle and resort to using my private car. Using your private vehicle is safer than using a government vehicle,” he said.

He said servicing government vehicles has become challenging, and at times he pays for this himself.

“If you wait for the government, you will wait forever for that invoice to be approved . . ,” Uerikua said.

“The moratorium has affected us badly in terms of service delivery, and has created a lot of uncertainty when it comes to official travelling routines.

“My recommendation is that the moratorium be, reconsidered and scrapped, and that government garages are permitted to stock vehicles for use.

“Old cars must be auctioned off, and whatever we get could be added to new vehicles,” he suggested.

On Tuesday, The Namibian reported that Omaheke governor Pijoo Nganate said his region has felt the negative impact of the moratorium.

He 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 said when she takes her car to the garage, it takes time to get a replacement.

“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.

//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.

Ministry of Works and Transport spokesperson Julius Ngweda said earlier this week 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.