MIB Bulletin February 2007 - Namibian Government

8/7/2019 MIB Bulletin February 2007 - Namibian Government

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Govrnmnt Information Blltin Fbrary 2007

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Govrnmnt Information

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Firt war vtran gt o

Mr. Ndakolos house is one of 48 houses

constructed by the National Housing

Enterprise for war veterans during the

current nancial year with the N$5.8 million

that the Government availed in June 2006

for this purpose.

In an attempt to alleviate the housing plea

of former Robben Island Prisoners, War

Veterans and Internally Brutalised Persons,

the Government also undertook to avail N$2

million annually for the next ve years for

the construction of more houses for former

qualifying freedom ghters.

During the handing over of keys to his new

house to Mr. Ndakolo, President Pohamba

denied allegations that the Government

has not done enough to address the plight

of former freedom ghters since independ-

ence. He reminded the audience of the

establishment of the Development Brigade

Corporation, the allocation of shing rights,

the War Veterans Subvention Fund and the

provision of 1 375 cattle to 125 retired veter-

ans among others to address

the plight of former prisoners

and freedom ghters.

President Pohamba also

called on everybody eligible

to benet from the housing

project, to remain patient,

as the Government will

constantly monitor and review

their plight with a view to

improve their living conditions.

The construction of Mr. Ndakolos house and

many others as part of this project, serves to

demonstrate the Governments appreciation

for the sacrices made by these gallant and

fearless ghters who stood rm during the

difcult and testing time of our liberation

war. They never wavered despite socio-

economic hardship that they have endured

for years, the President said. President

Pohamba also said that good cooperation and

partnership between the Ministry of Regional

and Local Government, Housing and Rural

Development, Regional Councils, local building

contractors and other stakeholders made the

completion of Mr. Ndakolos house possible.

He said good progress was also made with

similar houses in other regions and expressed

his conviction that all 48 houses will be com-

pleted in line with the Cabinet decision before

the end of this nancial year. The President

called on the beneciaries of the project to

look after their properties, not to allow peo-

ple to vandalise it and to keep it clean and in

a good state of repair.

Former Regional PLAN commander Matias Mbulunganga Ndakolo became the rst war veteran to

benet from the Governments housing scheme for Former Robben Island Prisoners, War Veterans

and Internally Brutalised Persons when he received the keys to his new house at the Iilogati

Village in the Ohangwena region from President Hikepunye Pohamba on 10 February 2007.

President Hikepunye Pohamba, former Regional PLAN Commander, Mr.Matias Ndakolo and his wife, Meekulu Aili

pictured in the sitting room of Mr. Ndakolos new house.


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Govrnmnt Information Blltin: Pbliciing GovrnmntThe Government Information Bulletin was

established through Cabinet Decision Number

13th/04.07.06/002 as an ofcial information

bulletin to publicise the Governments

programmes, policies and activities for the

benet of Government institutions and theNamibian public. All Government institutions

contribute towards the Bulletin. The

Government Information Bulletin is published

monthly by the Ministry of Information

and Broadcasting. To meet the specic

information needs of communities, the public

is invited to send comments and suggestions

on Government projects, programmes

and policies, which will then be covered in

the Bulletin. More Government news and

information can also be accessed on the GRN

News button on the Government Internet siteat www.grnnet.gov.na

Private Bag 13344, Windhoek,

Telephone 061 x 2839111,

Fax 061 x 230170,

E-mail [email protected].

The Bulletin is distributed free of charge to rural

communities through the Ministrys different

regional ofces.

The public and organisations are welcome

to subscribe to the Bulletin, but mailing costswill be for the account of the subscriber.

Design DV8 Saatchi & Saatchi,

Windhoek.

Layout Solitaire Press, Windhoek.

and printing

From t Dk of t MinitrIn the rst edition of the Government Information Bulletinwe shared information with our readers on the Governmentsplans to provide 48 houses in the current nancial yearto Former Robben Island Prisoners, War Veterans andInternally Brutalised Persons. Cabinet took the decision toprovide the houses and to avail a further N$2 million overthe next ve years for this purpose at its 16th meeting heldon 15 August 2006.

Barely six months after the Cabinet decision, we are able to sharethe joy of the rst beneciary of one of the 48 houses, Mr. MatiasNdakolo with our readers. Mr. Ndakolo became the owner of the rstcompleted house in the project on 10 February 2007 when PresidentHikepunye Pohamba ofcially handed the house over to him andhis wife.

It was a joyous occasion and many people from the Iilogati village in theOhangwena region and even further a eld came to share in this colourfulevent. The completion and handing over of the rst house serves as aclear demonstration that the Namibian Government is committed to

address the plight of war veterans and other displaced people.

It also shows that much can be achieved if different role playerscooperate to translate Cabinet decisions into reality. In this housingproject, the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing andRural Development, the National Housing Enterprise and buildingcontractors worked together to ensure the timely completion of theproject. The Ministry is convinced that all 48 houses will be completedbefore the end of this nancial year on 31 March 2007.

At the Cabinet Review Meeting at the end of November 2006,Cabinet members took stock of the implementation of Cabinetdecisions and development projects. Since remarkable progress hasbeen achieved in many areas, we decided to dedicate this edition ofthe Government Information Bulletin to development projects that

will make a tangible difference to the lives of many Namibians.

Except for the successful implementation of different housingprojects, several roads have been or are in the process of beingconstructed, progress had been made with the Green Schemeto ensure food security, the aquaculture and fresh water shingprojects have taken off and water projects resulted in thousands ofNamibians gaining access to safe, quality potable water.

While being aware that much still needs to be done to address theplight of many Namibians, due recognition should be given to whathas been achieved with the limited resources available to improvethe livelihood of all Namibians.

Our next edition of the Government Information Bulletin will bededicated to information on the countrys National Symbols and themain responsibilities of Government institutions and their contactdetails. As a bonus, the centre spread will carry a full colour poster ofCabinet. Make sure not to miss it!

Contnt

Five agreements signed with Chinese .. 3

President proposes measures to curb accidents 4

Horror evidence of road carnage .. 4

NA must safeguard well-being of Namibians .. 5

GRN priorities reiterated .. 6

School pass rate disappointing . 6

Housing improve livelihood of poorest ... 7

Kavango gets sheries institute . 8

Civil servants must serve the public . 9

Decentralisation gives access to Ombudsman .. 10

New patrol aircraft due in March .. 10

Reform of Public Service underway 11

Lderitz railway line brings development .... 12

Food for work benets many 12

Lower courts still in dire straits . 13

Fire gutted SADC Tribunal ... 13

Onambutu scheme brings water to thousands 14

Ministry forges ahead with new towns 14

Pohamba lauds foreign cooperation .. 15

Green scheme on course 15

Road infrastructure receives attention 16

Namibia will not allow mob rule 16

NBC works for country-wide coverage . 17

Namibia and SADC-EU negotiations on course 18

Scenes from rst house to war veteran .. 19

Public asked to name State House halls .. 20

New Ministry is making progress 20


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Fiv agrmnt ignd wit Cin

A N$27.8 million interest free economic and technical cooperation agreement and a grant

agreement of the same value are two of the ve agreements signed between the Namibian and

Chinese delegations during the state visit of Chinese President Hu Jintau to Namibia on 5 and 6February 2007. All the agreements are aimed at strengthening China-Namibia cooperation.

The three other agreements that were

signed provide for the building of two

rural schools, a feasibility study on a youth

training centre at Berg Aukhas and a plan to

facilitate the visits of organised Chinese tour

groups to Namibia.

The Director General of the National Planning

Commission, Hon. Helmut Angula signed three

of the agreements on behalf of the Namibian

Government. These include the N$27.8

economic and technical grant agreement,

the agreement providing for the building of

two rural schools and the agreement for the

feasibility study on the Berg Aukhas Youth

Training Centre. Finance Minister Saara

Kuugongelwa-Amadhila signed the N$27.8

interest free loan agreement, while Environment

and Tourism Minister Willem Konjore signed

the tourism agreement on behalf of Namibia.

President Jintau and his delegation visited

Namibia as part of the Chinese Presidents

visit to eight African states. During the visit,

President Jintau met with Namibian President

Hikepunye Pohamba and the two leaders

agreed to continue to exchange high-level

visits to enhance political trust and actively

expand cooperation in economic, trade, culture,

education, health and other elds to the mutual

benet of the two countries and peoples.

The two Heads of State agreed that there

was great potential for further growth in

China-Namibia economic cooperation and

trade. The leaders agreed to work together to

strengthen their cooperation in the areas of

mining, agriculture, tourism, manufacturing

and human resources development. The two

leaders also agreed to continue encouraging

their business people to increase contacts

and expand cooperation, while the two

governments will create conditions to facilitate

two-way trade and investment. China further

reafrmed its readiness to assist Namibia and

to support the countrys efforts in promoting

economic growth and social progress.

President Pohamba also expressed Namibias

opposition to Taiwans independence and re-

afrmed Namibias support for a reunited China.

President Pohamba assured President Jintau

that Namibia would not entertain any ofcial

relations or contact with Taiwan. Instead,

Namibia supports all efforts by the Chinese

government to achieve national reunication.

The two leaders also undertook to strengthen

their cooperation in international affairs

and China praised Namibia for its efforts in

safeguarding regional peace and stability

and for advancing African integration. They,

furthermore, undertook to make joint efforts

to build on the success of the China-Africa

Summit held in Beijing in 2006 and to promote

the growth of the new China-Africa strategy

featuring political equality, mutual trust,

economic win-win cooperation and cultural

exchanges. Before his departure from Namibia,

President Jintau met with the Founding Father

of the Namibian Nation, Dr. Sam Nujoma to

exchange views on further strengthening the

relations between the Chinese Communist

Party and the SWAPO Party.

During the state banquet in honour of

President Jintau, President Pohamba said the

people of Namibia value the strong bonds

of friendship that exist between Namibia

and China. The Namibian people will always

remain grateful to the Government and people

of China for their solidarity and support to the

liberation struggle and for standing rmly

with Namibia in its current efforts towards

economic and social development.

Chinese President Hu Jintau and Namibian PresidentHikepunye Pohamba look on while their Ministers

sign a cooperation agreement.

President Jintau and President Pohambaat the state banquet.

President Jintau and Dr. Sam Nujoma, FoundingFarther of the Namibian Nation met

to discuss party issues.

Chinese awaiting the arrival of their Presidentat the Hosea Kutako International Airport

outside Windhoek.


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NA mt afgard wll-bing of Namibian

The National Assembly must at all times safeguard the public interest and the well-being of

Namibias citizens, President Hikepunye Pohamba said when he ofciated at the opening of the

fth session of the fourth Parliament in Windhoek on 13 February 2007.

The President cautioned Members of

Parliament not to allow inertia or lack of

will to slow the countrys progress. Instead,

all parties in Parliament should work together

to confront and defeat the challenges of

unemployment, poverty, social degradation,

crime and the scourge of the HIV/AIDS

pandemic. He called on parliamentarians

to work hard to promote the best interest

of the Namibian people so that Namibia can

stand as a beacon of hope, democracy and

tolerance. He reminded them that it was

in their hands to build a society in which

Namibias children will have the opportunity

to realise their dreams and aspirations.

The key to unlock the countless

possibilities of building a vibrant society

and a strong constitutional order are

in the hands of Namibians, he said. He

reminded parliamentarians that they have

been voted into ofce to articulate the

wishes and aspirations of the electorate.

Parliamentarians have been mandated to

serve the voting public by enacting laws

to enhance the well-being of the people.

Parliamentarians, therefore, have to

work together to ensure that the ship of

democracy does not sink, for if it does, all

will perish, he said.

Referring to the level of debate in Parliament,

the President said elected representatives

are expected to advance mature and well-

considered arguments to enhance the quality

of debate in the Parliamentary chambers.

He applauded the installation of a lift in

the National Assembly, remarking that

this demonstrated a positive response to

appeals by people with disabilities to make

Parliament more accessible to them. President

Pohamba also called for efforts to increase

the representation of women in Parliament.

Although female representation in the National

Assembly increased from 6% immediately

after independence to 26 % currently, it still

falls short of the desired 50/50 representation.

In the National Council, the representation

increased from 1% in 1992 to 26% currently.

President Pohamba also drew the attention

of parliamentarians to the importance of the

Bills that will serve before them during the

current session of Parliament.

The tense labour relations in the country

and industrial disputes that negatively affect

productivity and economic growth are matters

of concern to Government. The President,

therefore, called on lawmakers to carefully debate

and consider the Labour Bill once it is tabled.

The same holds true for the Value Added

Tax Amendment Bill, since taxes are an

important source of government revenue

and there should be no room for tax

evasion by individuals or corporations. The

Government

needs the

tax revenue

to be able to

implement

projects for the

socio-economic

upliftment of

the Namibian

people, he

said.

The carnage

on Namibias

roads puts

emotional and

nancial strain on family, friends and the

government and lawmakers will have to

offer suggestions to end that when they

consider the Motor Vehicle Accident Fund

Bill, the President said.

The Vocational Education and Training Bill

should also be approached with seriousness,

because it must help to address the countrys

high level of unemployment among the youth.

Appropriate mechanisms must be put in

place to ensure that Namibia has skilful

and productive citizens who possess the

knowledge, know-how and competencies to

operate in the modern economy.

He also called on Parliamentarians to carefully

consider the Electricity Bill in the light of the

impending power supply crisis facing Namibia

and the SADC region.

He called on them to act swift to cushion the

effects of the reduced power generation ca-

pacity in the region and to support efforts to

harness other sources of renewable energy.

National Council Chair Hon, Asser Kapere, President Hikepunye Pohamba and National As-sembly Speaker, Dr. Theo-Ben Gurirab before the opening of Parliament.


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Govrnmnt prioriti ritratd

The allocation of resources to the Green Scheme, the rapidly growing tourism sector, the

expansion of feeder roads into rural areas, the construction of grain storage facilities and the

establishment of more skills training and skills upgrading centres for the Namibia youth werereiterated as top Government priorities when President Hifekepunye Pohamba opened the rst

2007 Cabinet meeting on 23 January 2007.

Better coordination of government

activities goes hand in hand with the

Governments priorities. The President,

therefore, called on Cabinet members to

promote the culture of coordination within

their institutions, as well as among various

public sector agencies. Coordination should

include regional and local authorities,

traditional and community leaders, civil

society and the private sector.

At the core of the Governments response

to the challenges facing it, is the struggle

against poverty and underdevelopment.

According to President Pohamba this calls

for the need to promote economic growth

and boost its ability to create jobs for the

countrys unemployed citizens, especially

youth and women.

The aim of the Government should be to

achieve tangible results with the improvement

of the quality of life of the Namibian people. To

achieve this, the Government must be driven

by a clear understanding of the development

needs of the country as reected in the election

manifesto of the ruling party and the countrys

national development plans and programmes.

Referring to the Cabinet Review Meeting in

late November 2006, President Pohamba

reminded his Cabinet that capacity building

and human resource development, economic

growth and intra-government coordination

featured strongly as issues of national

importance to take Namibia forward on its

development path. The Government must,

therefore, redouble its efforts to expand

training opportunities and enlarging the

pool of experts and professionals who can

implement government programmes and

take Namibia to greater heights.

He also stressed the need for Government

institutions to continuous review their

priorities and to pursue those policies that

will have the most tangible impact on the

live of Namibians. This is necessary because

of the nancial constraints facing the

Government, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr. Libertina Amathila, President Hikepunye Pohamba andSecretary to Cabinet, Mr. Frans Kapo at the rst Cabinet meeting for 2007.

scool pa rat diappointingAlthough the enrolment of learners at Namibian schools went well at the start of the new school

year, President Hikepunye Pohamba described the disappointing pass rate of below 50%

among Grade 10 and 12 learners as embarrassing statistics.

We cannot afford such poor

performance. We must act swiftly

to arrest this disturbing trend immediately and

aim for a pass rate of at least 90% in comingyears, President Pohamba said at the rst

2007 Cabinet meeting on 23 January 2007.

He called on the Ministry of Education and

other stakeholders in education to make

proposals and suggest ideas to reverse the

negative pass rate trend. He urged that

Namibian children must be prepared for theworkplace in a competitive world and not

to sit idle on street corners. The President

also requested the Minister of Education to

develop an entrepreneurial orientation of

Namibian learners at the Grade 10 level.

From Grades 11 to 12, students should

already be able to make career choices and to

pursue such choices at tertiary level, he said.While acknowledging that many rural schools

face tremendous resource constraints,

President Pohamba commended some rural

schools that have achieved good pass rates.

Contin on pag 7


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hoing improv livliood of poort

The livelihood of the poorest segment of society has improved signicantly during 2006 with

the construction of several houses under the National Housing Programme of the Ministry of

Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development.

Regional and Local Government, Housing

and Rural Development Minister John

Pandeni told the Cabinet Review Meeting late

last year that 402 houses were completed at

a cost of N$11.942 million under the Urban/

Rural Housing Loan Sub-programme, while

100 houses had been completed under the

Social Housing Sub-programme at a cost of

N$4 million.

The houses were constructed in the Kunene,

Omusati, Oshana, Erongo, Khomas, Hardap

and Karas regions. A total of 119 houses

were constructed in Kamanjab, Opuwo,

Okangwati and Khorixas in the Kunene

region, while eight houses were constructed

at Outapi in the Omusati region.

A total of 49 houses were constructed in

Ondangwa in the Oshana region, 89 houses

were built in Henties Bay in the Erongo

region and the Khomas region beneted

from the construction of 64 houses.

A total of 107 houses were built in

Aranos, Mariental, Rehoboth and Gibeon

in the Hardap region and 47 houses

were constructed in Bethanie, Koes and

Berseba in the Karas region. Under the

Ministrys Single Quarters Transformation

Sub-programme, 100 houses are in the

process of construction in Swakopmund

in the Erongo region, while 250 plots have

been serviced in Otavi in the Otjozondjupa

region for the construction of 250

houses. The cost for the Single Quarters

Transformation Sub-programme amounts

to N$6 million during the 2006/2007

nancial year.

While the Informal Settlement Upgrading Sub-

programme does not involve the construction

of houses, it does contribute to the provision

of basic urban services to informal settle-

ment areas. During the rst eight months

of 2006, 10 VIP toilets were constructed at

Sesfontein in the Kunene region, while 434

plots have been serviced in Okangwati in the

same region. At Oshivello in the Oshikoto

region, communal facilities, including water,

electricity and sewerage infrastructure were

provided to 2 873 beneciaries.

During January to August 2006, the

National Housing Enterprise completed

the construction of 183 houses, 103 in

Goreangob and 10 in Okuryangava in

the Khomas region and 70 houses in

Kuisebmond in the Erongo region at a cost

of N$15.755 million.

According to Minister Pandeni, the home

owners are the real beneciaries of his

Ministrys housing programme, since it

generally improve the livelihood for the

poorest segment of society. The programmes

that are implemented by Regional Councils

and local authorities also benet contractors

and labourers in the short term.

Housing is a basic need of all human beings.

He said the education authorities have to

establish how some rural schools manage to

perform well despite the constraints they are

facing. If some rural schools perform well,

others operating under similar conditions

should follow suit, he said.

President Pohamba stressed the need for

education authorities to act immediately to

reverse the unacceptable trend. The President

said he was encouraged by the steps that

have been taken to re-integrate pre-primary

education into the public education system

and the fact that curriculum development for

pre-primary education has already started.

Referring to the traditional Africa wisdom

that it takes a village to raise a child, he

cautioned that pre-primary education require

the involvement of the Government, as well

as the community as a whole. He called on

all stakeholders to contribute towards the

successful implementation of the envisaged

pre-primary education curriculum so that all

Namibian children can be ready for schooling

when they start Grade 1. This is of utmost

importance because pre-primary education

forms the strong foundation upon which

our education system can stand, grow and

produce the desired outcomes, he said.

scool pa rat diappointing

Learners at a school athletics meeting.

Contind from pag 6


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Kavango gets sheries institute

Communities in the Kavango and Caprivi regions who are engaged in aquaculture and inland

sheries stand to benet once the N$30 million Inland Fisheries Institute at Kamutjonga in the

Kavango region is completed.

According to information that Fisheries

and Marine Resources Minister Dr.

Abraham Iyambo shared with colleagues

at the November 2006 Cabinet Review

Meeting, the rst phase of the project had

been completed.

The second phase of the Kamutjonga Inland

Fisheries Institute has started and it is due

for completion in the 2008/2009 nancial

year. During the second phase additional

houses, a road, fences and dormitories will

be constructed.

Once completed, the Institute will do scientic

research on fresh water sheries and provide

training for sh farmers in the Kavango and

Caprivi regions. The Institute will also produce

ngerlings for distribution to farmers in the

two regions.

According to Dr. Iyambo, the Inland Fisheries

Institute will promote the collection of data

for research and analysis of socio-economic

purposes, while it will also provide training for

technical personnel and sh farmers in the two

regions.

During phase one of the project, 15 Namibians

were temporary employed on the project and it

is estimated that the Ministry will permanently

employ 25 staff members once the Institute is

operational.

Employment creation and enhanced sh

production, which will maximise sh supply to

the regional markets are two of the long term

economic benets of the Institute.

According to Dr. Iyambo, it will take between

10 to 15 years after completion of the project

to realise its full benets. The project is in line

with the Governments priorities as contained

in the Second National Development Plan in

that it will promote the sustainable use of

inland sh for household food security.

The project will, furthermore, also contribute

to the development of sustainable aquaculture

industries, while at the same time empowering

local communities and promoting local natural

resources development.

Work on the N$9.5 million aquaculture

project at the Olushandja Dam and at

Onavivi in the Oshana region is also

progressing well. The project consists

of the Epalela fish farm project near

Olushandja and the Inland Aquaculture

Centre at Onavivi. Tilapia and catfish are

produced for local and regional markets

at the Epalela fish farm, while the Inland

Aquaculture Centre carries out research

on fresh water fisheries and provide

training to Ministerial staff and the

communities.

Once operational, the Centre will also

produce ngerlings for distribution to farmersin the northern regions. The Onavivi Centre

was established with Spanish assistance

and good progress is being made with the

production of ngerlings and sh.

Phase two of the project will be completed

during the 2007/2008 nancial year with the

construction of houses and dormitories. Two

Cuban experts are assisting the Namibian

government with the establishment of this

aquaculture project.

The sh farms that were established at

Mpungu, Shipapu, Wambambangandu

and Karovo in the Kavango region and at

Litapi, Likunganelo and Kalimbeza in the

Caprivi region were affected by oods in the

2006/2007 nancial year. The outcome of a

feasibility study is being awaited to establish

these farms on a sustainable basis in the two

regions.

In the left photo two men are busy catching freshwater sh and in the right hand photo, two men are proudly displaying their catch that will make a nutritious meal.


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Civil rvant mt rv t pblic

Every day that the state machinery does not make progress to provide better living conditions

to Namibias people, is a day too long, President Hikepunye Pohamba remarked when he met

senior civil servants on 8 February 2007.

The challenges we face call for speedy

service delivery and the abolition

of practices that do not produce desired

results, the President said.

Civil servants are the backbone of the

implementation of government policies

and senior civil servants must, therefore,

continue to inculcate a sense of purpose,

urgency and dedication across the public

service, he said. President Pohamba

again reiterated that public service is

about serving the public, who are the tax

payers.

It is thus necessary for civil servants to carry

out their responsibilities with dedication

and a clear sense of purpose to enable the

Government to provide critical services,

such as health and education to the entire

nation.

The President called on the civil service

to adjust the administrative machinery to

ensure that the relationship between citizens

and ofcials is based on respect, honesty

and the appreciation of the legitimate

expectations of what citizens expect from

civil servants.

Citizens must be empowered to insist that

services are rendered in an accountable and

transparent manner, he said. To improve

service delivery, the civil service must

be bold enough to identify practices and

structures that hamper progress and to

address shortcomings immediately.

Similarly, mechanisms for intra-government

coordination through timely and regular

information sharing must be improved and

strengthened.

According to President Pohamba, a capable

government creates a conducive environment

for investment, sustained socio-economic

growth and development, while it also facilitates

and ensures effective and good governance at all

levels, by combating corruption, incompetence

and wastage. Good governance is about serving

the people and giving them tangible present

and future benets in education, health, social

security, sanitation, potable water, electricity

and housing.

Our citizens expect only the highest quality of

service from the public service, because they

invest in the public service through the taxes

that they pay. If the returns on their investment

do not translated into quality service delivery,

they will make their voices known.

The public service must demonstrate a

complete dedication to a strong work ethic and

a recognition that every human being deserves

courtesy and consideration, the President

cautioned. He also called for excellence, a

constant search for perfection and value-for-

money services to ensure that the management

of human, material, nancial and information

resources meet the increasingly complex

challenges of development and nation-building.

The focus of the civil service must be

people centred, while rules, procedures and

regulations must only be applied to promote

efciency and consistency in the work of

civil servants. According to the President,

it is time that a new mode of service

delivery and operation procedures should

be considered in the light of the complex

challenges faced by the Government.

As public service managers, your principal

objective should be to create a public service

that is citizen-oriented rather than self-

serving; innovative rather than rule-bound,

capable of forging constructive partnerships

with outside groups rather than being insular;

professionally competent rather than being

patronage or corruption ridden, he said.

He called on them to be result-oriented

and time and cost conscious, not

allowing hierarchy, protocol or the cynical

interpretation and application of rules to

slow down progress.

Ethiopian groups welcomed President Hikepunye Pohamba at the airport in Addis Ababa. The Presidentattended the African Union Summit in the Ethiopian capital on 28 January 2007.


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0

Dcntraliation giv acc to Ombdman

The opening of representative Ombudsman ofces in Keetmanshoop in the South and Oshakati

in the North has allowed more than 1000 Namibians from remote areas to lodge complaints

of maladministration, corruption and the violation of human rights with the Ofce of theOmbudsman between January and October 2006.

With the opening of the two regional

ofces, the Ofce of the Ombudsman

honoured the Governments decentralisation

policy and its own undertaking to make the

services of the Ombudsman accessible to as

many citizens as possible.

The Ofce of the Ombudsman is entrustedto receive, investigate and resolve

complaints from the public about corruption,

maladministration and the violation of

human rights, the environment and national

resources.

Briefing the Cabinet Review Meeting

about the work of the Office of the

Ombudsman late last year, Ms. Pendukeni

Iivula-Ithana, Minister of Justice andthe Attorney General said before

decentralisation, investigators from

Windhoek visited the regional offices

regularly. This situation was not ideal,

as it was expensive while also denying

the rural population with constant access

to representatives from the Office of the

Ombudsman.

Since January 2006, permanent

investigators have been dispatched to the

ofces in Keetmanshoop and Oshakati. The

investigator in Keetmanshoop also regularly

visits several smaller places, such as Aroab,

Koes, Tses, Maltahohe, Mariental, Gochas,

Stampriet, Aranos, Lderitz, Aus, Bethanie

and Karasburg, as well as prisons in thesouth.

The investigator in Oshakati also brings the

services of the Ofce of the Ombudsman

to places like Rundu, Uutapi, Okahao,

Ondangwa, Oluno, Eenhana, Tsumeb and

Grootfontein and prisons in the north.

The opening of the Oshakati ofce has

resulted in 238 people from the northernregions submitting their complaints to the

Ofce of the Ombudsman. In the South,

212 people contacted the Keetmanshoop

regional ofce with complaints.

According to Ms. Iivula-Ithana, the opening

of the ofces in Keetmanshoop and Oshakati

empowered citizens in the south and north to

lodge their complaints with the Ombudsman.

Without these ofces, most of them would

never have been in a position to bring their

complaints to the Ombudsman, since they

are either illiterate or lack resources to

pay for telephone calls, faxes or postage

stamps.

Since the two regional ofces are not able to

cover the whole country, investigators from

the Ombudsman head ofce in Windhoek

undertook complaint intake clinics to places

such as Gobabis, Swakopmund, Walvis Bay,

Arandis, Usakos, Karibib, Omaruru, Katima

Mulilo, Khorixas, Opuwo, Tsumkwe, as well

as prisons in other areas.

Intake clinics between January to October2006, resulted in 568 complains submitted

to the Ofce of the Ombudsman. Ms. Iivula-

Ithana stated that public institutions naturally

strive for excellence if they know the

watchdog is active throughout the country.

This helps to achieve good governance,

while also giving local and foreign investors

condence to invest in the country.

Nw patrol aircraft d in MarcA new sheries patrol aircraft that will assist the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources to

combat illegal shing in Namibias exclusive economic zone, is expected to be delivered in the

country in March 2007.

Construction on the N$38.634 million

aircraft started during the 2003/2004

nancial year in France and delivery was

initially scheduled for the 2004/2005 nancialyear. The terror attacks on the Twin Towers

in New York in the United States of America

however prevented the service provider to

deliver the aircraft as per the agreements. The

construction of a new patrol aircraft became

necessary since the current patrol aircraft is

approaching the end of its expected life span.

As is the case with the current patrol aircraft,

the new aircraft will also be stationed at Arandis

in the Erongo region. With the new aircraft, the

Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources will

be able to combat illegal shing in Namibian

waters, which will allow the sh stock to grow

to its expected level of biomass.

This is in line with the provisions in the Second

National Development Plan that call for the

sustainable use of the countrys marine

resources.


11/20


11

Rform of Pblic srvic ndrway

The roll-out of the Public Service Performance Management System aimed at changing Namibias

public service into a performing organisation and major agent to bring about lasting growth and

prosperity to the country, may take between eight and 12 years.

Brieng the Cabinet Review Meeting

late last year on the establishment of a

performance-oriented public service, Prime

Minister Nahas Angula said the Performance

Management System, together with other

public service reform initiatives will result

in quality service delivery, high levels of

customer satisfaction, improved efciency

and effectiveness and ultimately contribute to

the achievement of Vision 2030 in Namibia.

Since organisational culture change is a critical

success factor towards a service-oriented

public service, a slower and more substantive

roll-out of the Performance Management

System is being encouraged to ensure lasting

change, the Prime Minister said.

Together with the Performance Management

System (PMS), other public service reform

initiatives, such as the establishment of the

Namibia Institute for Public Administration

Management (NIPAM), job evaluation and

grading, E-Governance and the Human

Resources Management Information System are

being introduced to ensure the establishment of

a performance-oriented public service.

According to the Prime Minister, the Performance

Management System is ready for submission to

the Cabinet Committee on the Public Service for

approval early in 2007 so that it can become a

formal Government policy.

An Executive Committee, consisting

of selected Permanent Secretaries,

representatives from womens organisations,

recognised trade unions and the Bank of

Namibia, and chaired by the Secretary to

Cabinet, Mr. Frans Kapo, was already

established in 2006 to oversee the roll-out of

the PMS across all government institutions.

The PMS has already been deployed in the

Ministry of Labour and Social Services and it

is earmarked for deployment in the Ministry

of Education and the Ministry of Lands and

Resettlement in February 2007. According to

the Prime Minister it is possible that the roll-

out of the PMS is completed in the Ministries

of Labour and Social Welfare and Lands and

Resettlement by March 2008, while it may

take two years longer to roll it out in the

bigger Ministry of Education.

Although the roll out of PMS is estimated to take

a minimum of four years, the Prime Minister

said that benchmarking has shown that rolling

out major reform initiatives, like entrenching

the Performance Management System, may

take between eight to 12 years. A critical

success factor is that Permanent Secretaries

must be committed to the process.

With regard to NIPAM, the Prime Minister

indicated that a draft act has been compiled

as a discussion document, while an amount

of N$45 million is available on the capital

budget until 2009 for the construction of

the institute. The job evaluation and grading

is on course, but insufcient funds and the

diverse interest of stakeholders are delaying

the process. It is, however, trusted that it

will be in place towards the end of 2008.

E-Government still lacks funding and

implementation mechanisms, but the Ofce

of the Prime Minister, in cooperation with the

World Bank will conduct a needs assessment

to strengthen the implementation programme.

Tender documents are being nalised for the

purchasing of a new computerised system

for the Human Resources Management

Information System. The development of an

electronic information system is necessary to

optimise performance in the public service.

The absence of such a performance tracking

system will make analysis, accountability and

comparison cumbersome if not impossible.

Secretary to Cabinet, Mr. Frans Kapo and Prime Minister Nahas Angula are at the heart of reform in the Public Service.


12/20


2

Ldritz railway lin bring dvlopmnt

The upgrading and rehabilitation of the Aus-Lderitz railway line together with the Lderitz

harbour that was upgraded in 1998 will lead to the development of the southern part of Namibia.

This project will also serve the local inhabitants, the shing and mining industry and agriculturalprojects in the Karas region.

Brieng Cabinet on its Ministrys programmes

at the Cabinet Review Meeting late

in November 2007, Works, Transport and

Communications Minister, Jol Kaapanda said

the Skorpion Zink mine was already exporting

through the Lderitz harbour and plans are

underway to distribute petroleum products

for the southern regions of Namibia through

Lderitz and the upgraded rail link.

According to Minister Kaapanda, South African

mining groups and fruit producers have also

indicated that they would want to make use

of the Ldertiz harbour as a point of export.

This would produce revenue for Namibia.

The upgrading and rehabilitation of the

139.5 kilometers of railway line from the

Aus station to the Lderitz station runs for

its entire length through the Namib Desert.

The contract for this N$540 million job was

awarded to the Roads Contractor Company

who has to do the earthworks embankment,

build a station at Lderitz, supply the ballast

stone and lay the tracks, as well as build

road over rail bridges and lay drainage

culverts. The track work is being upgraded

from 11.5 tonne axle load to accommodate

18.5 tonnes to allow the line to carry a

heavier load.

The railway line project is nanced by

the Namibian Government and is due for

completion in the 2009/2010 nancial year.

Due to the harsh climate and raging winds

in the desert, it is impractical to use people

to do labour-based work on the railway line.

Mechanical equipment is mainly use in the

construction, but approximately 600 people

are employed at Aus and Lderitz.

Once the railway line is operational, it is

expected that employment opportunities

will be created due to cargo and passenger

trains servicing the route. Tourism and

other business ventures may also create

employment opportunities.

It is also hoped that the upgrading and

rehabilitation of the Aus-Lderitz railway

line, together with the upgraded Lderitz

harbour will promote interregional trade

with neighbouring SADC countries. The

lifespan and cost of maintenance of roads

in the south will also be prolonged if bulk

goods and passengers are transported by

train instead of on the roads.

Food for work benets many

A total of 5 035 Namibians beneted from 147 projects supported by the Food for Work

programme of the Ministry of Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development

between 1 January and 31 August 2006.

During the same period, 271 people

beneted from 15 projects that were

supported by the Food and Cash for Work

programme of the Ministry, according to

information given to the Cabinet Review

Meeting late last year by Minister John Pandeni.

The two programmes beneted both males

and females in Namibias 13 regions. Atotal of 2 753 males and 2 553 females in

all regions were beneciaries of the Food

for Work and the Food and Cash for Work

programme in the rst eight months of 2006.

According to Minister Pandeni, a total of 135

people from six regions beneted from the

Food Security and Nutrition - Empowerment

of the San Community for Household Food

Security Programme. The beneciaries

were from Omega/Chetto in West Caprivi,

Okongo/Omauni in Ohangwena, Tsinsabis

in Oshikoto, Omega/Buffalo in Kavango,

Tsumkwe/Mkata in Otjozondjupa and Eiseb/Epukiro in Omaheke.

The projects implemented under the Food

for Work programme are community based

projects that are providing direct food aid

as a safety net system for the poor able-

bodied people in targeted communities in

productive self-help activities.

The Food Security and Nutrition programme

aimed at San communities is creating

temporary employment through the building

of basic rural infrastructure for the San. Theseactivities provide San communities with much-

needed technical skills and know-how for

similar projects in the future, thus preparing

them for the job market or self-employment.


13/20


13

Lowr cort till in dir trait

The appointment of seven temporary magistrates in May 2006 to assist with the backlog of cases

in Namibias lower courts did not have the desired results. In nine of the 25 court districts, the

backlog is now even bigger than what it was on 31 March 2006.

The problems in lower courts are

aggravated by the fact that none of

the 30 newly created magistrate posts in

the Ministry of Justice are funded and can,

therefore, not be used until such time that

they are fully funded.

Minister of Justice and the Attorney General

Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana painted a bleakpicture about the state of lower courts

and the backlog of cases in the country at

the Cabinet Review Meeting held late in

November 2006.

Ms. Iivula-Ithana said although funds

were secured for the appointment of

two temporary magistrates in Windhoek,

and one temporary magistrate each in

Keetmanshoop, Opuwo, Okahao, Oshakati

and Rundu, the number of outstanding

cases was only slightly reduced in 14 court

districts, while the backlog increased in nine

districts. While the backlog of cases is down

with 50% in the Okahandja and Omaruru

districts and 40% down in the Karasburg

and Lderitz districs, the backlog increased

in Swakopmund and Keetmanshoop. In

Outapi the backlog is 15% up in spite of

the deployment of a temporary magistrate

to that district.

This state of affairs is attributed to the fact that

temporary magistrates could not concentrate

on the backlog of cases, as the stations

they serve have too many new cases, said

Ms. Iivula-Ithana. In some cases, temporarymagistrates serve in vacant permanent

positions, which require that they attend to all

duties of the ofces, as well as new cases.

During the period November 2005 to October

2006 a total number of 158 164 cases were

registered with lower courts in the country.

A total of 5 877 cases were nalised, while 7

627 cases were disposed of after admission

of guilt. Court personnel spent 3225.41 hours

in court and 953.50 hours on administrative

and quasi-judicial functions.

Besides court hearings, magistrates are also

expected to render many additional duties,

such as domestic violence applications,

applications for liquor or shebeen licences

and maintenance enquiries.

According to Ms. Iivula-Ithana, crime is

increasing, while the availability of both human

and capital resources seems to be declining.

The situation is aggravated by the reluctance

of young graduates to take up magisterial

posts outside Windhoek, while others accept

offers from parastatals and the private

sector that offer better salaries than thegovernment.

Although the Ministry of Justice acquired

15 additional recording machines and ve

transcribers to type mechanically recorded

records, most typists are not trained to use

computers and transcribers effectively.

English language skills also pose a problem,

since the typists are unable to listen to

recordings and simultaneously type the

English words correctly.

Budgetary constrains are also contributing to

the fact that some services are not receiving

the necessary attention, while magistrates

training is also neglected because of the

shortage of funds.

Fir gttd sADC Tribnal

A re that broke out at about 03h00 on 19 January 2007 in the historic SADC Tribunal or Turnhalle Building destroyed the interior of the building,leaving only the outside walls standing. Damage to the building and furniture runs into millions of dollars.


14/20


4

Onambt cm bring watr to toand

Approximately 93 000 people will have access to safe, quality potable water upon the completion

of the Onambutu Water Supply Scheme that starts in the Oshana region and cuts through the

Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions.

The water supply scheme is being done

in stages and will cost N$57 million

upon completion.

In the phase one stage of the project, 36.4

km bulk pipeline, a 600 m reservoir and the

construction of a booster pump station at Os-

haango in the Ohangwena region was com-

pleted. The upgrading of the pump station at

Iindangungu in the Oshikoto region was also

completed. A 90 km bulk pipeline and me-

chanical and engineering works at Oshaango

in the Ohangwena region has been completed

as part of phase two of the Onambutu water

supply scheme. Communities along the pipe-

line, regional councillors, traditional leaders,

NamWater and local water committees were

involved throughout the project.

Besides the provision of safe, quality potable

water to approximately 93 000 people in the

Oshana, Oshikoto and Ohangwena regions,

about 1 000 rural community members were

employed to assist with the implementation of

the project and N$1 896 000 has been paid as

wages to those community members. Brieng

the Cabinet Review Meeting late in November

on progress with the projects of the Ministry

of Agriculture, Water and Forestry, Dr. Nickey

Iyambo said community members will be

encouraged to pay for their water according

to prescribed NamWater tariffs, while rural

water extension technicians will assist the

communities to maintain the infrastructure.

Another water supply scheme is the Tsandi

South Scheme in the Omusati region that will

bring safe, potable water to 57 500 people in

this northern region.

At a cost of N$34 million, the two phases of

this project saw the completion of 39 km of

bulk and 117 km of rural pipeline with 71

water points that include clinics, schools and

household and 4 livestock water points in

phase one. In phase two, 2 direct off-takes

were done from new and existing bulk pipe-

lines, while 183 km rural pipelines and 85

new water points inclusive of clinics, schools

and households were completed.

A further 125 existing communal and institu-

tional water points have been rehabilitated.

The construction of the Tsandi South Scheme

resulted in the employment of approximately

1000 community members who earned N$1

635 000 in wages for their work. As with the

Onambutu Scheme, community members will

be encouraged to pay for their water, while

rural water extension technicians will assist the

communities to maintain the infrastructure.

Minitry forg aad wit nw townA resistance by some stakeholders to constructively cooperate with the Government in the

implementation of national policies is hampering the proclamation of new towns in Namibia.

According to Regional and Local Government,

Housing and Rural Development Minister,

John Pandeni, the proclamation of new towns

in Namibia is being delayed because traditional

leaders are not always supportive, while there

is also resistance to relinquish land for urban

development.

Brieng the Cabinet Review Meeting at the

end of 2006 about his Ministrys agship

programmes, Minister Pandeni said that his

Ministry would like to see at least two towns

proclaimed in every region. However, to date

only Okahao in the Omusati region and Helao

Nadi in the Oghangwena region have been

newly proclaimed. The Regional and Local

Government, Housing and Rural Development

Ministry wants to see the settlement areas of

Otjinene in the Omaheke region, Rosh Pina,

Oranjemund and Aussenkjer in the Karas

region, Omuthiya in the Oshikoto region, Bukalo

in the Caprivi region, as well as Nkurenkuru and

Divundu in the Kavango region proclaimed

as new towns over the next three nancial

years. Work on this will start already during the

2007/2008 nancial year and will hopefully be

concluded during the 2009/2010 nancial year,

the Minister said. Minister Pandeni said although

the proclamation of new towns will contribute

to improved socio-economic living conditions

of people, address the skewed socio-economic

development across the country and improve

the investment environment, the Ministry still

faces challenges with this programme. The

challenges include opposition from traditional

leaders towards the proclamation of new

towns, while the problem is exacerbated by the

absence of a legal framework to accommodate

the implementation of a Cabinet decision and a

national policy. The Ministry is also experiencing

resistance from communities to relinquish

land for urban development. To address

the challenges, his Ministry plans to amend

legislation to support the implementation of

government policies and priorities.


15/20


15

Poamba lad forign cooprationPresident Hikepunye Pohamba lauds the excellent relations and cooperation between Namibia

and foreign missions and international organisations in Namibia when he conveyed his New Year

greetings to the diplomatic corps on 1 February 2007.

Namibia faces many formidable

challenges, such a poverty,

unemployment, the HIV/AIDS pandemic and

other difculties. Therefore, it was important

for the country to work closely with its friends

and development partners to address these

challenges, President Pohamba said.

The President thanked the diplomatic corps

for its tireless efforts in strengthening

relations between their respective countries

and Namibia. He also expressed the wish that

the New Year will bring peace, social justice,

development and prosperity to the world.

Referring to the general elections in the

Democratic Republic of the Congo, President

Pohamba praised the people of the DRC for the

successful conclusion of the general elections,

which gave President Joseph Kabila the mandate

to lead that country to peace, reconciliation

and reconstruction. He also commended the

positive role of the United Nations, the African

Union, the Southern African Development

Community (SADC) and the European

Union in helping the people of the DRC.

President Pohamba assured the diplomatic

corps that Namibia attaches great importanceto the global development agenda. He,

however, expressed concern about the lack

of progress in the implementation of the

Millennium Development Goals. He called

on all UN member states to work together in

nding effective solutions to the ght against

poverty, hunger, disease and ignorance.

He also pledged Namibias continued support

to reform the UN system, especially theexpansion and democratisation of the Security

Council. At the same time, Namibia will continue

to support UN efforts to maintain peace

and security around the world. He also paid

tribute to the sterling leadership of the former

Secretary General of the UN, Ko Annan and

said the country was looking forward to working

closely with the new Secretary General, Ban Ki-

Moon and his Deputy, Dr. Asha-Rosa Migiro of

Tanzania.

The President expressed concern at the

situation in the Middle East and especially

the suffering of the people of Palestine who

have not yet achieved their right to self-

determination and independence. Similarly,

the lack of progress with the implementation

of the UN Resolutions on Western Sahara

remains a concern to Namibia. He called on

the international community to intensify efforts

to nd permanent solutions to the problems in

Palestine and the Western Sahara. President

Pohamba also hailed the Africa-South America

Summit of 2005 aimed at strengthening

south-south cooperation and said Namibia

is honoured to host the second Africa-Latin

America Governor and Mayors meeting that will

take place in Windhoek in May 2007.

Grn cm on cor

The design of the Tandjieskoppe green scheme project is

progressing well and it is anticipated that the design will be

concluded by July 2007, paving the way for the construction of

the project to start around September this year.

Although the green scheme activities are

currently focussed on infrastructure

development, it will eventually enhance

employment opportunities and food security

in Namibia.

The long term goal of the green scheme is

to increase the current 8 600 hectares under

irrigation to 40 000 hectares.

At Tandjieskoppe 1 000 hectares of irrigated

land will be developed for the production of

grapes, dates and vegetables.

According to Agriculture, Water and Forestry

Minister, Nickey Iyambo, a total of N$358

million has been budgeted over six years forthe completion of this project.

Besides the N$40 million that the

Namibian Government budgeted for this

project, developing partners, such as the

African Development Bank, BADEA and

the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting

Countries (OPEC) are nancially contributing

to this project.

Minister Iyambo told the Cabinet Review

Meeting late last year that approximately

20 people are employed during the design

phase of the project, while 1 500 permanent

workers will be employed on completion of

the project.

A further 2 000 people will be employed

as seasonal workers during harvesting and

processing.

It is anticipated that 130 small scale farmers

will farm on a leasehold basis on 4 hectare

farms, while 13 commercial farmers will be

allocated 40 hectares each on a leasehold basis.


16/20


6

Namibia will not allow mob rl

The Government will not allow mob rule within the borders of

Namibia and those involved in violence and intolerance willanswer for their action through the countrys justice system,

President Hikepunye Pohamba warned when he opened the

rst Cabinet meeting for 2007 on 23 January.

Road infratrctr rciv attntion

The Directorate Transportation Infrastructure in the Ministry of Works, Transport and

Communication is busy with at least ve projects to upgrade and improve different stretches of

road in Nambia.

In the Omusati region, work on the N$88

million project to upgrade the 55 km

road between Outapi to Tsandi to bitumen

standard was completed in December 2006.

This project, that started in July 2004 was

due for completion in July 2005, but the

extension of 13 km road to Okahao delayed

the project. A total of 189 people, 172

Namibians and 17 foreigners were employed

on this project that links the economic

centres of Tsandi, Outapi and Okahao with

Oshakati and give communities access to

main hospitals and schools.

In the Kunene region, the rst 104 km phase

of the Kamanjab-Omakange project, that

will eventually see the bitumen road run

to Opuwo, is underway and the rst 15 km

of road is already completed and open to

trafc. Another 30 km has been prepared and

surfaced. The tender for the 104 km stretch

for phase 2 of the project was advertised,

but has not been awarded due to the

unavailability of funds. To date a total of 138

people - 123 Namibians and 15 foreigners -

have been employed on this N$295.8 million

project. The Kunene region is a sought after

tourist destination and once completed, the

road will ease access to the region.

In the Karas region, the rst section of the

N$309.761 million Aus-Rosh Pinah road has

been completed and is open to trafc. The

open section is the 118 km from Rosh Pinah

up to Greens towards Aus. Construction

on the 51 km second section from Greens

to Aus was completed late in 2006. A total

of 239 Namibians and 55 foreigners were

involved in the construction of this road that

connects Rosh Pinah with the tarred road

from Keetmanshoop to Lderitz, giving the

Rosh Pinah mining industry easy access to

the Lderitz harbour for export purposes.

In an earlier Government Information Bulletin

information was given about the Rundu-Siko-

Nkurenkuru-Mpungu-Kongo-Elundu road that

will be constructed at a cost of N$810.457

million in the Kavango and Ohangwena

regions. It is envisaged that construction on

the rst phase of this road will start early in

2007 and local people and contractors along

the road will be used for construction work.

This road will promote interregional trade

between the Kavango and Ohangwena

regions and give access to the Ondangwa-

Oshikango road towards Angola and the

Rundu-Katima Mulilo road to Zambia.

The fth project is the rehabilitation

and improvement of the road between

Okahandja and Karibib at a cost of N$197.7

million. The successful contractor will start

working on the rst 45 km stretch of road in

March 2007, while planning on the second

32 km will run parallel with the construction

of the rst phase. Work on the second phase

will commence as funds become available.

President Hikepunye Pohamba opened the Aminius Constituency Ofce in the Omaheke region on 25 January2007. The ofce was build to bring services colser to the people.

The Government will not allow seeds of

discord and division to undermine the unity

of our people, President Pohamba said with

reference to the killing of a young Namibian in

the Aminuis constituency when two traditional

authorities clashed over the swearing in of

a senior counsellor. President Pohamba said

peace and stability were prerequisites for

sustainable development and the ruling Party

will consciously and continuously invest in

peace, political and socio-economic stability.

He said he is convinced that Namibians

can live in peace and harmony because the

nations common values and goals exceed their

differences. Our strength as a nation lies in the

colourful diversity of the Namibian people and in

our different cultures, traditions, backgrounds,

skills and knowledge, the President said.


17/20


17

NBC work for contry-wid covrag

The Namibian Broadcasting Corporation made signicant strides since 2001 to cover Namibia

with radio and television signals.

Radio reception increased with 5% from

89% to 94% coverage, while television

coverage currently stands at 64% compared

to 45% in 2001.

Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah

informed the Cabinet Review Meeting in

November last year that a further18 towns

received television reception recently,

while 12 more towns will be added soon

with the expansion of the NBCs transmitter

network.

By May 2007, Sesfontein will also receive FM

and television services.

At the same time, the NBC increased its

broadcast quality and embarked on the

equal treatment of language services, better

sharing of technology implementation and

the introduction of a San language service

in Tsumkwe.

The NBC hopes to bring the San radio service

to Windhoek early in 2007.

A total of 17 tenders for the expansion of the

NBC transmitter programme served before

the NBC Board late in November 2006.

These tenders provide for the

upgrading of the Corporations

contribution centres in

Otjiwarongo and Keetmanshoop,

as well as the upgrading of the

National Radio, News and Current

Affairs; TV Current Affairs; and

the Radio Centre at the NBC head

ofce in Windhoek.

Another tender provides for the

purchasing of three radio outside

broadcast vans for Oshakati and

Windhoek, as well as Rundu and

Katima Mulilo that will share the services of

one van.

Although remarkable progress has been

made, the NBC is still faced with a number of

challenges that are hampering its expansion

countrywide, Mrs. Nandi-Ndaitwah said.

These challenges include bringing the San

language to Windhoek and to connect to

other regions, to do instant live broadcasts of

events for breaking news, to ensure country-

wide television reception, ensuring that all

languages services are available throughout

the country and to equip all 13 regions with

cameras and broadcast facilities.

Once these challenges have been overcome,

all communities will have access to

information, while regional events will be

shared across the country.

News events will, furthermore, be current and

not delayed and Namibians will be able to

listen to the radio station and language service

of their choice, not matter where they are.

It will also ensure that educational and

entertainment programmes are provided

to all.

Mrs. Nandi-Ndaitwah informed Cabinet

that the future plans of the NBC include

nationwide broadcasting to Keetmanshoop

and Swakopmund to ensure reception of all

languages in these areas.

The NBC is also planning to establish radio

and television services at Aus, Buitepos and

Ruacana and to complete upgrading work at

Kongola and Omega.

Mobile satellite facilities will also be

purchased in the 2007/2008 nancial year.

Information & Broadcasting Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwahwho is responsible for the performance of the NBC.

President Hikepunye Pohamba at the opening of the Otjinene ConstituencyOfce in the Omaheke region on 24 January 2007.


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Namibia and t sADC-eu economic

Partnrip Agrmnt (ePA) Ngotiation

The purpose of this article is to provide information to the public regarding the ongoing tradenegotiations between the Southern African Developing Community (SADC) and the European Union.

The African Caribbean and Pacic (ACP)

Group of countries and the European

Union (EU) entered into a twenty (20) year

Partnership Agreement in 2000, commonly

referred to as the Cotonou Agreement. This

Agreement constitutes an international legal

instrument that governs political, economic,

trade and nancial relations between the

ACP countries and the EU. The Economic and

Trade Cooperation Part of the Agreement

provides for non-reciprocal preferential

access to a wide range of ACP originating

products to the EU market.

The current trading arrangement between

the ACP and the EU is in contravention of

the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

(GATT) provision on Most-Favoured-Nation

Treatment, as it discriminates amongst

members of the World Trade Organization

(WTO) in favour of the ACP countries. Hence

it operates under a WTO waiver. In order to

bring the ACP-EU trade relations in line with

GATT, the Cotonou Agreement provides for

negotiations of new WTO compatible trading

arrangements, commonly referred to as the

Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs),

which are in line with GATT Article XXIV.

In terms of approach, the EPAs are expected

to be entered into between the EU on one

hand and the various economic groupings

of the ACP on the other. In other words,

there will not be an EU/ACP wide EPA. The

decisions regarding regional conguration

for the purpose of these negotiations were

left to the individual ACP member states.

Namibia, together with other SACU member

states (Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa and

Swaziland) chose to congure under SADC.

However, six SADC member states chose to

congure outside of SADC. This situation

resulted in a SADC conguration composed

of SACU and three other SADC member

states, namely Mozambique, Angola and

Tanzania (MAT), which is commonly referred

to as the SADC-EPA. This conguration

has its own complexities in terms of the

varying degrees of development among

member states, i.e. one large developing

country economy (South Africa), three small

developing country economies (Namibia,

Botswana and Swaziland) and four least

developed countries (LDCs) (Lesotho,

Mozambique, Angola and Tanzania).

One of the stated objectives of EPAs is to

promote regional integration. It is common

knowledge that South Africa, who is Namibias

important trading partner, has a separate

Trade and Development Cooperation

Agreement (TDCA) with the EU. Botswana,

Lesotho, Namibia and Swaziland (BLNS) who

are in a Customs Union with South Africa are

impacted by (i.e. indirectly implementing)

South Africas concessions under the TDCA.

The SACU Agreement provides for amongst

others, a common negotiating mechanism

for SACU with respect to preferential trade

agreements with third countries. It also

provides for the development of common

policies and cooperation in areas of industrial

development, competition, agriculture and

unfair trade practices. Therefore, in the

context of SACUs integration agenda there

is need to harmonize trade relations with

the EU, in a manner that BLNS interests are

also taken on board. In the broader context

of SADCs regional integration agenda,

there is a need for further harmonization of

SADC-EPA trade relations with the EU, in a

manner that the trade interests of all SADC-

EPA member states are taken on board in

the nal SADC-EU EPA. As far as Namibia

is concerned, the main areas of interest in

these negotiations include improved market

access for all products of export interest

to Namibia, i.e. agricultural and non-

agricultural, trade facilitation, special and

differential treatment, the plight of LDCs and

deeper regional integration in SADC.

Negotiations for the SADC-EU EPA were

launched in July 2004 in Windhoek. All EPAs

between the ACP and the EU are expected

to enter into force by 1 January 2008, when

the WTO waiver expires. The SADC EU

EPA negotiations are on course and the two

parties have been discussing and exchanging

views on the format and content of the

Agreement. One of the key questions the

two parties are currently addressing is how

to treat countries of varying developmental

status, (especially South Africa which is

regarded as having relatively competitive

industries). It is a delicate question in

light of the SADC-EPA countries resolve to

harmonize their trade relations with the EU

as one of the ways of consolidating their

regional integration efforts. This is an issue

that we are condent will be resolved soon.

Currently, there is anxiety in the public

domain, especially industries relying on

export to the EU, regarding the risk of

loosing the current preferential access

to that market, if SADC-EPA negotiations

are not concluded on schedule. This is a

justiable concern, but needs to be placed

into its right context. There is nowhere in the

Cotonou Agreement where it is stated that

the current preferential trade arrangement

will come to an end by the end of 2007.


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However, the Cotonou Agreement does

provide for the negotiations of new WTO

compatible trading arrangements to replace

the current one by the 1st January 2008.

In reality the trade component is valid for

a period of 20 years as part of the overall

Cotonou Agreement. Therefore, it can only

be replaced by the EPAs upon their entry

into force. This means that if the end of the

current trade preferences is contingent on

entry into force of the EPAs, then any action to

the contrary will be in breach of the Cotonou

Agreement. Concluding EPAs on schedule is

a responsibility of both parties, to which they

have both expressed commitment.

It is also important to note that Namibia,

together with other developing countries in the

WTO, is a beneciary to the EUs Generalized

System of Preferences (GSP). The EU GSP,

which is permitted by the WTO, also provides

preferential market access to products

originating from developing countries,

although to a lesser favourable degree than

the Cotonou Agreement. Therefore, if EPAs

are not concluded on time, there is an option

of exporting qualifying products to the EU

under the EU GSP system.

The expiry of the WTO waiver on 31st

December 2007 is an issue of concern to

all as it will open the continuation of current

trade arrangement to challenges by other

WTO members. Both the EU and the SADC-

EPA have expressed their commitment to

concluding the negotiations in the course of

2007, failing which they are also committed

to nding an amicable solution, in the spirit

of the Cotonou Agreement. We, therefore,

would like to assure the business community

and public in general that the SADC-EU EPA

negotiations are on course and there is no

need for alarm at this stage.

Children doing a traditional dance at the handing over of Mr. Ndakolos house. Sharp contrast between the old and the new. The shack in front of the new houseon the left used to be the shelter of Mr. and Mrs. Ndakolo

President Pohamba prepares to cut the r ibbon to the new houseof the Ndakolo couple, while Mr. Ndakolo looks on.

Regional and Local Government, Housing and Rural Development Minister JohnPandeni (left) and Permanent Secretary Erastus Negonga in a jovial mood at the

handing over of the house to Mr. and Mrs. Ndakolo.

Scenes from rst house to war veteran


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Pblic akd to nam stat ho all

The Namibian public is invited to suggest names of cultural or historic signicance for the eight

halls of the New State House in Auasblick, Windhoek.

At its 22nd meeting held on 12 December

2006, Cabinet decided that the new

ofce block in Auasblick, Windhoek, will be

called State House.

At the same meeting, Cabinet decided that

the public should be invited to submit names

of cultural or historic signicance for the

naming of the eight halls of the new State

House.

Each proposed name should be accompanied

by a short motivation, indicating the cultural

or historic signicance of the proposal.

The public is hereby invited to submit

proposed names in writing to the Permanent

Secretary, Ministry of Works, Transport

and Communication, Private Bag 13341,

Windhoek.

The deadline for the submission of the

names is Friday, 30 March 2007.

Upon expiry of the deadline, the proposed

names will be submitted to the Ministers

Committee to take a nal decision.

The public will be informed of the successful

proposals to name the new State House

Halls.

Pridnt mt Mayor

On 17 January 2007, Windhoek Mayor, Councillor Mathew Shikongo paida courtesy call on President Hikepunye Pohamba at State House.

Nw Minitry i making progr

The nalisation of its medium term planning, the recruitment of staff and the drafting of

legislation to govern its operations are among the immediate objectives of the Ministry of

Veterans Affairs.

The Ministry of Veterans Affairs was

established on 4 October 2006 to

ensure the total integration of PLAN ghters

into society through the coordination and

implementation of various social programmes.

Brieng the Cabinet Review Meeting latelast year on his Ministrys progress, Minister

Ngarikutuke Tjiriange said his newly

established Ministry was still working on its

Simultaneously, attention is given to drafting

a denition of who a war veteran or ex-

combatant is, while continuing with the

identication and registration process of war

veterans and ex-combatants.

Consultations with churches, the pubic andprivate sectors, as well as other stakeholders on

the future of war veterans are also ongoing.

objectives of the Ministry of Veterans

Affairs are the creation of projects aimed

at alleviating the plight of veterans, the

provision of skills development and suitable

programmes, as well as the identication

of specic needs of disabled veterans.

Attention is also given to the establishmentof a legally recognised association for

veterans for bargaining purposes, while

the development of an efcient monitoring

Documents

MIB Bulletin February 2007 - Namibian Government