Allexer Namundjembo
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) Member of Parliament Rosa Mbinge-Tjeundo has submitted questions to the minister in the Presidency, Charles Mubita, regarding the monitoring and delivery of projects announced during State of the Region Addresses (SORAs).
In her notice of question, set for Thursday next week, Mbinge-Tjeundo noted that the addresses were originally intended to provide Namibians with a transparent account of development progress and improvements in regional quality of life.
However, she argued that they have increasingly become platforms for announcing ambitious projects without proper mechanisms to measure delivery, evaluate impact, or hold authorities accountable.
She further stated that despite repeated promises of roads, schools, clinics, water infrastructure, and jobs, many communities continue to face the same developmental challenges each year.
“Year after year, citizens hear promises of roads, schools, clinics, water infrastructure, and employment opportunities, yet many communities continue to face the same developmental challenges,” Mbinge-Tjeundo said in the notice.
The MP asked whether the Presidency maintains a formal monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the implementation of SORA commitments, and if not, why not.
Referring to frequent qualified audit opinions and financial management concerns raised by the Auditor-General in several regional councils, she also questioned what measures the Presidency has taken to ensure effective management of public funds allocated to announced projects.
Mbinge-Tjeundo further requested that the minister clarify the respective roles of regional governors and regional councils in reporting on SORA projects.
In addition, she asked how the Presidency measures the socio-economic impact of these projects, particularly regarding employment, water access, healthcare, and rural development.
She also sought an indication of what percentage of projects announced during the previous SORA cycle have reached full operational status and are currently delivering services to the public.
The questions are scheduled for reply in the National Assembly on 18 June 2026.
Political analyst Pinehas Simon told the Windhoek Observer on Wednesday that Mbinge-Tjeundo’s questions reflect broader public concern over accountability in regional development planning.
“The State of the Region Addresses are important accountability tools, but their credibility hinges on follow-through,” Simon said.
Simon added that when citizens continually hear new announcements without clear reporting on past commitments, a gap emerges between policy and lived experience.
He observed that while the MP’s questions are technical in nature, they point to a political reality where delivery either builds or erodes trust in governance.
“The questions about monitoring frameworks, financial management, and operational status are technical, but they speak to a political reality that delivery is where trust in governance is either built or eroded. Clarifying the roles of governors versus councils is also key, because overlapping mandates can blur lines of responsibility,” he added.
Simon further noted that Parliament’s role is to scrutinise implementation, and that these questions form a legitimate part of that oversight function.
