Green schemes need more action, less talk, MPs say
• Shift in focus needed
Parliamentarian Tobie Aupindi says power must be delegated to people on the ground to handle urgent matters.
Phillipus JosefLÜDERITZ
The parliamentary standing committee on natural resources has found that green schemes and other regional initiatives in the Kavango East region continue to face delays in project execution, despite repeated recommendations to address the issue.
This was revealed during a parliamentary visit to projects in the region last week.
National Council vice chairperson Vicky Kauma on Wednesday said the focus must shift from talk to concrete action.
“The parliament, where all of us are, makes sure that when we discuss our matters, it reflects the voices of the people on the ground,” Kauma said.
“What I want is... it is so nice when we talk during visits, but I want to see our standing committee reports being discussed seriously,” she added.
“There is no way we will get rich by talking, but we will get rich by implementation,” she said.
She told the committee that recommendations from their reports must be taken seriously by ministries, especially the agriculture ministry, which oversees green schemes.
“Who else in Namibia doesn’t know the problems of the green schemes? We know, but implementation is very, very slow,” she said.
Funding woes
Kauma added that Kavango East has the resources and readiness to make green schemes work, but proper funding and execution are essential to ensure the people who need it most benefit.
She stressed that decentralisation should happen urgently and that regional councils need the authority and budgets to run projects locally.
She pointed out that regional budgets mainly cover operations, leaving little for actual project execution.
Funds at the regional level could improve agribusiness, support small-scale workers and fast-track initiatives if properly channelled, she noted.
Kauma also said land at Mungungu has already been identified for agro-processing but questioned why progress has been delayed.
Bring power closer to the peopleCommittee chairperson Tobie Aupindi said the issues raised would be included in the committee report and discussed in parliament.
He said power must be delegated to those on the ground to handle urgent matters.
“These types of projects are too big to be run from head office in Windhoek. Regional authorities must be empowered to act immediately,” Aupindi said.
Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka criticised oversight visits that often amount to little more than talk, with few tangible results.
He also called for a shift from discussion to action, urging parliament to ensure decentralisation gives local officials the authority to implement projects quickly.
[email protected]
The parliamentary standing committee on natural resources has found that green schemes and other regional initiatives in the Kavango East region continue to face delays in project execution, despite repeated recommendations to address the issue.
This was revealed during a parliamentary visit to projects in the region last week.
National Council vice chairperson Vicky Kauma on Wednesday said the focus must shift from talk to concrete action.
“The parliament, where all of us are, makes sure that when we discuss our matters, it reflects the voices of the people on the ground,” Kauma said.
“What I want is... it is so nice when we talk during visits, but I want to see our standing committee reports being discussed seriously,” she added.
“There is no way we will get rich by talking, but we will get rich by implementation,” she said.
She told the committee that recommendations from their reports must be taken seriously by ministries, especially the agriculture ministry, which oversees green schemes.
“Who else in Namibia doesn’t know the problems of the green schemes? We know, but implementation is very, very slow,” she said.
Funding woes
Kauma added that Kavango East has the resources and readiness to make green schemes work, but proper funding and execution are essential to ensure the people who need it most benefit.
She stressed that decentralisation should happen urgently and that regional councils need the authority and budgets to run projects locally.
She pointed out that regional budgets mainly cover operations, leaving little for actual project execution.
Funds at the regional level could improve agribusiness, support small-scale workers and fast-track initiatives if properly channelled, she noted.
Kauma also said land at Mungungu has already been identified for agro-processing but questioned why progress has been delayed.
Bring power closer to the peopleCommittee chairperson Tobie Aupindi said the issues raised would be included in the committee report and discussed in parliament.
He said power must be delegated to those on the ground to handle urgent matters.
“These types of projects are too big to be run from head office in Windhoek. Regional authorities must be empowered to act immediately,” Aupindi said.
Kavango East governor Hamunyera Hambyuka criticised oversight visits that often amount to little more than talk, with few tangible results.
He also called for a shift from discussion to action, urging parliament to ensure decentralisation gives local officials the authority to implement projects quickly.
[email protected]
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