By: Loise Shiimi
Roads Contractor Company (RCC) interim chief executive officer, Dasius Nelumbu, announced that the construction of basic sports facilities in the Eheke settlement and Onamutai Constituency will require an investment of N$10 million, with each facility costing N$5 million.
“The government has allocated N$5 million for each facility for the financial year 2025/2026, and we are committed to working within this budget,” Nelumbu stated.
He made these remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony for the construction of the basic sports facilities in the Oshana Region on Tuesday, emphasising that this initiative aligns with the national vision of empowering youth and strengthening communities.
“Importantly, this project represents more than just plans and policies; it aims to create real spaces where young people can train, compete, grow, and build confidence. It is about providing them with opportunities, and often, that is all a young person needs to thrive,” he explained.
Additionally, Nelumbu highlighted that the RCC is dedicated to creating opportunities and building capacity. This, he said, is one of the reasons the RCC has partnered with Emirate Trading CC, a local construction firm, to ensure local participation in projects.
“We will also ensure that various tasks are assigned to our local small and medium enterprises (SMEs),” he stated.
Regarding employment, the project is expected to create 45 new jobs during the construction phase of each sports facility.
“We recognise the responsibility that comes with this project. We are committed to delivering on time and within budget. We will collaborate closely with all stakeholders to ensure fair and equitable participation. RCC and its technical partners are dedicated to supporting the national development goals outlined in NDP 6,” he assured.
Moreover, in Oshana Region governor Hofni Iipinge’s keynote address, he described the groundbreaking ceremony as a unified launch for all 11 constituencies in the region.
“This ceremony symbolically marks the beginning of the construction of basic sports facilities across all eleven constituencies of Oshana for the 2025/2026 financial year,” he noted.
He further explained that this rollout is part of a structured multi-year implementation plan that will extend from the 2025/2026 financial year through to the 2029/2030 financial year.
“As such, this single groundbreaking event signifies the official commencement of implementation for the entire region within this financial cycle, ensuring coordinated delivery, efficient resource utilisation, and equitable development across all constituencies,” he added.
Iipinge mentioned that, in line with the government’s commitment to local economic empowerment and inclusive growth, “RCC will subcontract and engage small and medium enterprises to handle various aspects of the work.”
He also indicated that this approach ensures the benefits of this investment circulate within the local economy, fostering employment opportunities, building local capacity, and empowering emerging contractors across the constituencies.
“The construction of these facilities represents not only a social investment in sports, but also a strategic economic intervention to stimulate local enterprise development,” he remarked.
Finally, regarding the youth population, Iipinge emphasised that in a country where the majority of the population is young, structured sports development is essential.
“For too long, access to quality sports infrastructure has been unequal. Talent has existed without facilities, and potential has been unfulfilled due to a lack of platforms. The construction of basic sports facilities across all 121 constituencies is a deliberate intervention aimed at correcting these imbalances,” he stated.
