Staff Reporter

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has denied claims that land allotted for the Windhoek District Hospital was bought by the City of Windhoek, and added that latest information stories of such a nature have been created to mislead, sensationalise, and generate non-existent controversies.

Ben Nangombe, Executive Director inside the well being ministry, mentioned that by Resolution No.: 246/10/2017, Windhoek City Council resolved to allocate the mentioned piece of land to the Ministry of Health and Social Services for the development of a public hospital.

“The land was thus allocated to the Ministry in 2017. In the same year, the Ministry of Health and Social Services fenced off the land as advised by the Windhoek City Council. The project cost N$2,696,980.00. In February 2024, the Ministry carried out a site clearance, marking the start of the work for the construction of the Windhoek District Hospital. This activity was carried out by the National Youth Service at a cost of N$581,900.00. In May 2024, the Ministry hosted a ground-breaking ceremony, signifying the kick-off of the accelerated implementation of the project. In October 2024, the Ministry advertised bids for the supply of bulk services, namely: bulk water services, bulk electricity, and access roads for the project,” Nangombe mentioned.

He emphasised that the land, valued at N$18.9 million, is just not in jeopardy, and the challenge will proceed as deliberate.

“The Ministry wishes to emphasise again that the project is proceeding and is being implemented on an expedited basis. Several project components and milestones are being carried out concurrently. An Inter-Ministerial Technical Steering Committee for the implementation of the project, comprising the Ministries of Health and Social Services; Finance and Public Enterprises; Works and Transport; Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform; the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development; the National Planning Commission; and the City of Windhoek is in place. It meets regularly in line with its Terms of Reference (ToRs) in furtherance of the realisation of the project. We reiterate that the project is not in jeopardy and will proceed as planned. The advert by the City of Windhoek is part and parcel of the requirements for land allocation by local authorities by way of private treaty,” Nangombe concluded.