Stefanus Nashama
The Minister of Sport, Youth and National Service, Agnes Tjongarero has expressed disappointment with the delays in the process of renovating the Independence Stadium.
She shared this with the Windhoek Observer on Tuesday in response to questions about the stadium’s renovation and upgrades.
“The ministry is disappointed that it is taking so long to start the renovation process,” said Tjongarero.
Although the work should have started in September of last year, more than ten months have passed without any progress.
The minister claims that the procurement process is to blame for the delay.
“The delay is with the procurement process, the timelines given in it, and adherence to it,” she said.
Tjongarero said that once all procurement requirements are satisfied, the work will start.
“All of us want the renovation process to begin,” she stated.
She further added that the ministry has one last option to approach the Treasury for some sort of exemption.
She is unsure, though, whether the ministry will receive the exemption.
The country’s substandard facilities are not fit to host international matches.
The government has spent millions to host the national teams’ home matches abroad since 2020.
The government has since allocated N$50 million during the 2022–23 financial year to the upgrading and renovation of Independence Stadium to meet the requirements for hosting international football matches.
Iipumbu Shiimi, the Minister of Finance and Public Enterprises, announced this during the midterm budget review last year.
For the current financial year, the government allocated an additional N$37,5 million towards the project, while the medium-term expenditure framework for 2024/25 and 2025/26 committed an additional N$60 million and N$65 million, respectively.
The Independence Stadium was built before independence, and thus far, only two renovations have taken place.
The Independence Stadium has been under scrutiny, with some sports fans, lovers, and players questioning its dilapidated and outdated facilities.
