Patience Makwele
Schools under construction, sewerage upgrades and agricultural projects in the Zambezi region are facing implementation delays because government funds are not reaching implementing institutions on time, this was revealed by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Budget and Finance.
The findings follow a week-long oversight visit to the region, where the committee assessed the implementation of government-funded projects and examined whether public funds which were allocated to ministries, regional authorities and local councils were being used for their intended purposes.
Acting committee chairperson Werner Iita said the committee found no major irregularities in the utilisation of public funds.
However, he said delayed disbursement of approved budget allocations continues to slow the implementation of projects intended to improve public services and stimulate local economic development.
“The challenge is not necessarily that money has not been allocated but that funds do not always reach implementing institutions on time. We need mechanisms to ensure capital projects are not delayed because of late disbursements,” Iita said.
The concerns come despite increased government investment in the region. According to the 2026 Development Budget Book, Zambezi has been allocated approximately N$546.2 million for development projects during the 2026/27 financial year, up from N$487.7 million in the previous financial year.
Beyond funding delays, the committee also raised concern over persistent staff shortages across several government institutions, warning that vacancies continue to undermine service delivery, particularly in rural communities.
The ministry of home affairs was among the institutions identified as operating below its approved staff establishment, while vacancies in the health sector and other public offices continue to place pressure on existing personnel.
“If a position has already been budgeted for, there should be no reason not to advertise and fill it. Our people deserve efficient public services,” Iita said.
He acknowledged that attracting skilled professionals to remote areas remains a challenge but said incentives such as bush allowances should continue to be strengthened to encourage public servants to accept rural postings.
Despite highlighting the funding bottlenecks, the committee commended progress on several development projects it inspected during the visit, saying they demonstrate that public investment is producing results where funding is released on schedule.
Among the projects praised were the construction of the Katima Mulilo Modern School, which will accommodate learners from pre-primary to Advanced Subsidiary level upon completion, the irrigation project at the Katima Mulilo Correctional Service farming unit, and infrastructure upgrades at Bukalo Village Council.
Residents who attended the committee’s public engagement said delayed infrastructure projects have had a direct impact on daily life, particularly recurring sewer spillages and flooding in Katima Mulilo.
Joseph Muyoba, a resident of Katima Mulilo, said overflowing sewer systems have become a persistent problem despite repeated reports of funding allocations for infrastructure upgrades.
“We have been waiting for sewer upgrades for a long time. Almost every few months you hear about sewage problems making headlines in this town, yet we are told money has been allocated,” he said.
Muyoba warned that ageing sewer infrastructure poses a public health risk.
“This is how diseases spread. We could face a cholera outbreak because sewage is overflowing into areas where people live. People always say malaria is high because we are close to the river but the overflowing sewer systems are also contributing to the problem,” he said.
While welcoming the construction of the new Katima Mulilo Modern School, Muyoba questioned the pace of implementation.
“We are happy the school is being built because our children need it but people are worried about the delays. Registration periods are approaching and we don’t know whether it will be completed in time,” he said.
He also called for improved stormwater drainage, saying seasonal flooding continues to damage roads and disrupt communities.
“When the rains come, the town floods because the drainage system is not working properly. These are the issues we want the government to address.”
The committee also welcomed progress on the rehabilitation of sewerage ponds, housing initiatives and private sector investment in Bukalo, describing the developments as an important contribution to local economic growth.
“I think the development taking place in Bukalo is very good and should serve as an example to other village councils in the country,” Iita said.
However, local authorities told the committee that inadequate infrastructure continues to constrain development.
Bukalo Village Council cited the absence of a police station and an open market as key challenges while Katima Mulilo Town Council said additional funding is needed to expand its sewerage infrastructure to meet growing demand.
Iita encouraged local authorities to implement projects in phases and explore financing from development finance institutions to supplement government funding where possible.
The committee is expected to table its findings and recommendations in Parliament, where they are expected to inform discussions on improving budget implementation, accelerating infrastructure delivery and strengthening public service delivery.
For communities in the Zambezi Region, the committee said timely release of approved funds will be critical to ensuring that planned investments in education, agriculture, sanitation and other essential services translate into tangible improvements in people’s lives rather than remaining delayed on paper.
