Mbumba refuses to answer on farm upgrades
Vice-president Nangolo Mbumba yesterday said he had no answers when asked to shed light on state-funded renovations and upgrades to his private farm.
The upgrades are being kept under wraps, with the Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi on Tuesday saying discussing it is “not permitted” when the official opposition Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) tried to seek clarity on the matter.
With the country facing serious financial challenges, highlighted this week by the dilapidated state of the Katutura State Hospital and government’s refusal to give civil servants salary hikes due to cash flow issues, the timing of the security upgrades on Mbumba’s farm have been branded selfish and insensitive.
Mbumba yesterday simply said he is not the one in charge of the upgrades and that he should therefore not be held accountable or asked to give answers.
“I have no answer for you. It’s not done by me or for me. Ask the ministry of works.
"It is my farm, but I am not the one doing it. It is not for me,” he said.
Katjavivi could not be reached for an explanation on what rules he based his suppression of the discussion in parliament on.
Not a ‘special case’
Works ministry spokesperson Julius Ngweda confirmed that the renovations are underway and that about N$500 000 has been allocated for this project, which is already 90% completed. Additional materials were collected from the late Nicky Iyambo’s farm, he said.
“On the farm, the job we gave was the building of accommodation facilities for the Very Very Important Persons’ (VVIP) security personnel who guard the vice-president, as part of his farm benefits,” Ngweda told Namibian Sun.
“Water must be set up; they must cook so electricity is installed and sanitation is set up. It is about 12 rooms. It is a hostel; they are working in shifts,” he said.
He also stressed that Mbumba is not a “special case”, but that all VVIPs have security facilities for their homes, whether it is a farmhouse or a village one. Such upgrades are part of the benefits provided by the state, he said.
I want answers
Meanwhile, PDM member of parliament Elma Dienda yesterday submitted a formal notice in the National Assembly, demanding answers from Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila regarding the nature of the upgrades at Mbumba's farm.
The Namibian reported that costs of the second phase of the renovations have exceeded N$660 000.
The prime minister is expected to respond to these questions on 7 July.
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The upgrades are being kept under wraps, with the Speaker of the National Assembly Peter Katjavivi on Tuesday saying discussing it is “not permitted” when the official opposition Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) tried to seek clarity on the matter.
With the country facing serious financial challenges, highlighted this week by the dilapidated state of the Katutura State Hospital and government’s refusal to give civil servants salary hikes due to cash flow issues, the timing of the security upgrades on Mbumba’s farm have been branded selfish and insensitive.
Mbumba yesterday simply said he is not the one in charge of the upgrades and that he should therefore not be held accountable or asked to give answers.
“I have no answer for you. It’s not done by me or for me. Ask the ministry of works.
"It is my farm, but I am not the one doing it. It is not for me,” he said.
Katjavivi could not be reached for an explanation on what rules he based his suppression of the discussion in parliament on.
Not a ‘special case’
Works ministry spokesperson Julius Ngweda confirmed that the renovations are underway and that about N$500 000 has been allocated for this project, which is already 90% completed. Additional materials were collected from the late Nicky Iyambo’s farm, he said.
“On the farm, the job we gave was the building of accommodation facilities for the Very Very Important Persons’ (VVIP) security personnel who guard the vice-president, as part of his farm benefits,” Ngweda told Namibian Sun.
“Water must be set up; they must cook so electricity is installed and sanitation is set up. It is about 12 rooms. It is a hostel; they are working in shifts,” he said.
He also stressed that Mbumba is not a “special case”, but that all VVIPs have security facilities for their homes, whether it is a farmhouse or a village one. Such upgrades are part of the benefits provided by the state, he said.
I want answers
Meanwhile, PDM member of parliament Elma Dienda yesterday submitted a formal notice in the National Assembly, demanding answers from Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila regarding the nature of the upgrades at Mbumba's farm.
The Namibian reported that costs of the second phase of the renovations have exceeded N$660 000.
The prime minister is expected to respond to these questions on 7 July.
[email protected]
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