Fisheries fails to collect N$36.9m in expected revenue
The fisheries ministry, before its integration into the agriculture ministry, underspent its 2023/2024 operational and development budget by millions, with nearly N$37 million in revenue still outstanding, according to the latest audit by the auditor general.
The audit, covering the financial year ending 31 March 2024, reveals systemic underspending across key divisions of the ministry, from policy and aquaculture to capital projects, primarily due to slow recruitment, stalled construction projects and procurement complications.
Among the biggest red flags is the N$36.9 million in revenue that was still outstanding at the end of the fiscal year.
The ministry explained that overestimated income from fishing quota levies, which totalled N$58.6 million, was primarily to blame.
These projections are typically based on fluctuating total allowable catches (TACs), which do not align neatly with the financial year and are sensitive to unpredictable sea conditions.
Key projects delayed
The audit also reveals that the ministry's aquaculture division, responsible for supporting fish farming and inland fisheries, underspent its budget by 18.22%. Roughly N$8.8 million went unused, with key projects either delayed or halted.
At the Mpungu Aquaculture Fish Farm in Kavango alone, underspending of N$1.6 million was recorded due to delays in appointing contractors.
The Leonardville project saw N$1.5 million unspent, as the contractor only submitted repair cost proposals near the end of the financial year, the audit found.
Another fish farm in Keetmanshoop, the Fonteintjie Community Project, was entangled in a legal dispute, leading to an unspent balance of N$200 690.
The matter remains unresolved, with court instructions in the new financial year requiring the ministry to reassess and reappoint service providers.
Filling vacant positions
Meanwhile, the ministry’s policy, planning and economics division underspent by 25.37%, resulting in a shortfall of N$3.5 million.
Over N$2 million of that was due to delays in hiring staff, while unexecuted training plans and reprioritised activities further contributed to the underspending.
Delays in filling vacant positions, a recurring theme across multiple divisions, led to knock-on underspending on employer contributions to pension and social security funds.
In several cases, the financial burden of leave gratuity and training costs also fell below budgeted estimates, further exacerbating the underspending trend.
Decades waiting for payment
One of the more concerning items raised in the audit is the failure to pay a long-standing debt dating back to 2001.
Three invoices from a civil structure engineer involved in a regional office construction project remain uncertified, stalling further work in the Kavango region and contributing to an underspending of nearly N$5 million. The engineer reportedly refused to resume work until the matter was resolved.
In Henties Bay, an N$800 000 budget allocation for a feasibility study on a satellite office remained untouched after the department of works delayed submitting terms of reference.
The audit, covering the financial year ending 31 March 2024, reveals systemic underspending across key divisions of the ministry, from policy and aquaculture to capital projects, primarily due to slow recruitment, stalled construction projects and procurement complications.
Among the biggest red flags is the N$36.9 million in revenue that was still outstanding at the end of the fiscal year.
The ministry explained that overestimated income from fishing quota levies, which totalled N$58.6 million, was primarily to blame.
These projections are typically based on fluctuating total allowable catches (TACs), which do not align neatly with the financial year and are sensitive to unpredictable sea conditions.
Key projects delayed
The audit also reveals that the ministry's aquaculture division, responsible for supporting fish farming and inland fisheries, underspent its budget by 18.22%. Roughly N$8.8 million went unused, with key projects either delayed or halted.
At the Mpungu Aquaculture Fish Farm in Kavango alone, underspending of N$1.6 million was recorded due to delays in appointing contractors.
The Leonardville project saw N$1.5 million unspent, as the contractor only submitted repair cost proposals near the end of the financial year, the audit found.
Another fish farm in Keetmanshoop, the Fonteintjie Community Project, was entangled in a legal dispute, leading to an unspent balance of N$200 690.
The matter remains unresolved, with court instructions in the new financial year requiring the ministry to reassess and reappoint service providers.
Filling vacant positions
Meanwhile, the ministry’s policy, planning and economics division underspent by 25.37%, resulting in a shortfall of N$3.5 million.
Over N$2 million of that was due to delays in hiring staff, while unexecuted training plans and reprioritised activities further contributed to the underspending.
Delays in filling vacant positions, a recurring theme across multiple divisions, led to knock-on underspending on employer contributions to pension and social security funds.
In several cases, the financial burden of leave gratuity and training costs also fell below budgeted estimates, further exacerbating the underspending trend.
Decades waiting for payment
One of the more concerning items raised in the audit is the failure to pay a long-standing debt dating back to 2001.
Three invoices from a civil structure engineer involved in a regional office construction project remain uncertified, stalling further work in the Kavango region and contributing to an underspending of nearly N$5 million. The engineer reportedly refused to resume work until the matter was resolved.
In Henties Bay, an N$800 000 budget allocation for a feasibility study on a satellite office remained untouched after the department of works delayed submitting terms of reference.
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