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THE Okahao Veterinary Clinic is in a neglected state and has not been operational since it was completed in 2017.
Since its completion, the building was never inaugurated and the parking lot is currently overgrown with grass, and the lights are on day and night.
Speaking to The Namibian yesterday, Thomas Shilumbu from Okahao said for the last five years he was under the impression the clinic was a homestead. It is only after inquiring that he discovered it was a veterinary clinic.
“When I went there, I found a security guard who has been there ever since. The lights are always on and this electricity is being paid for by the government, while the thing is not in use. Some infrastructure is already getting old and falling apart,” Shilumbu said.
He said the government should ensure the building is utilised.
“How do you build something and abandon it? It’s almost six years now. We want the government to deliver. We want development at Okahao. This is a good service that was brought to the people but now nothing is happening.”
He said there are no government offices at Okahao, and suggested that the government assign the building to a particular ministry to bring services closer to the people.
“We do not have an office for the home affairs, finance or rural development ministries. Why can’t they give it to one of these ministries so that the building can be used?”
Contacted for comment, agriculture minister Calle Schlettwein said he is aware of the building, but there was no money to better utilise it.
“The money has dried up. Budget cuts and unavailability of money. We must see where we can get money together to get it running but our capital budget was cut. Once I have taken this up with the finance minister, we will use it,” Schlettwein said.
He said when he joined the ministry, he found the building as an incomplete capital project.
Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform spokesperson Jona Musheko yesterday said the ministry will complete the building in the next financial year.
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