Judge govt by results, not rhetoric - Ngurare

Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare has challenged critics and opposition figures to evaluate the government’s performance based on tangible outcomes rather than political rhetoric.Responding to Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani in parliament on Thursday, Ngurare defended the administration’s record and hit back at claims that no substantive policies had been introduced in the first 100 days of the new presidency, particularly regarding access to clean water and anti-corruption measures.Venaani had criticised the government’s renewed focus on green schemes, arguing that simply cultivating them to full capacity will not transform the agricultural sector. “Even if you do that, it’s not going to revolutionise agriculture to the point of creating enough jobs or ensuring food security,” he said. “For the past 35 years, green schemes have existed. I have visited all of them, year after year. So, what are you doing differently now to truly transform agriculture in a way that creates jobs? Why is the government not introducing a policy to make our deserts green? Allocate 100 000 hectares, build desalination plants, pump water and revolutionise agriculture to create jobs,” he urged.Ngurare responded sharply, saying that many criticisms stem from either a misunderstanding or deliberate misrepresentation of policy. “Because had you taken the time to read both the manifesto itself and the implementation plan, some of these questions would not come. So the fact that you visited those green schemes does not mean that we did not visit those green schemes,” he said.He called on lawmakers to engage more rigorously with the ruling party’s plans. “We have spoken about seven priority areas in our manifesto. Usually, academics – including honourable members – I think there is a rule that when you debate and discuss issues, let it be empirical. And if you speak about the manifesto, and you have never read it, or you have decided to be allergic to it, it becomes problematic.”Ngurare maintained that the current administration is embracing a "business unusual" approach to governance and is actively working to turn around historically underperforming initiatives like the green schemes. “Nobody disagrees that there was a time these were not run properly... and we are, as we are saying, business unusual. We are turning the table and making what was usual, unusual.”On the critical issue of water delivery, Ngurare rejected assertions that the government is indifferent to the needs of communities without reliable access to potable water. “Water is something that is a common denominator to life... So let's not politicise that aspect. It would be wrong to characterise that this government does not care about those that do not have water.”He also addressed concerns over accountability in state-owned enterprises, confirming that the government has taken steps regarding controversial matters such as Meatco’s 400 missing cattle and the Namibia Industrial Development Agency’s (NIDA) N$27 million in questionable spending. “We have written to Meatco. The same goes for the N$27 million of NIDA. Accountability, I thought, begins with us taking action – and that is what we have done, and that is what we will do.”Ngurare concluded by affirming that while government action may be methodical, it is deliberate. “If the action that we will take will lead to the firing of the board, that will also be. But we are not there yet.”nikanor@nmh-hub.com.na

Judge govt by results, not rhetoric - Ngurare

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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Judge govt by results, not rhetoric - Ngurare

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-07

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