Swapo tired of service delivery – Venaani
• ‘We need a new govt’
The Swapo-led government is destroying good initiatives in the country, the PDM leader said.
Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) leader McHenry Venaani says the Swapo-led government has grown tired of executing its duty of service delivery, adding that the only way accelerated development will be realised is when a new party is voted into power.
He made the remarks during a sit-down on The Evening Review, and said the evidence can be found in how the government is dealing with a lack of what he termed effective corporate governance ethos at state institutions.
“The government in power is not really serious at resolving socio-economic challenges in this country. We need a new government that addresses the question of corporate governance because if you do not address the question of malfeasance and greed that eroded this country, [it will continue] to erode this country,” he said.
Government is destroying potentially good initiatives, Venaani said.
“There is good low-hanging fruit and potential in the country, but for as long as there are people who have gotten tired of administrating this country, gotten tired of addressing the key issues, [no progress will be made],” he said.
According to the opposition party leader, the proof of this is in how state institutions are managed.
More than just talk
“How is it possible that companies such as Ohlthaver & List and many others are profitable, and companies that have bigger porfolios than them are being run down and they are monopolies of their own?” Venaani wanted to know.
Despite creating good initiatives, government’s efforts would not bear fruit, he argued.
“Government can credit themselves for creating that low-hanging fruit, but that low-hanging fruit will not transform into benefits for the people of this country.”
He also blasted the state's approach to local value-addition of mineral resources, saying there was a need for more than just rhetoric.
“There is political rhetoric that we must add value to our resources, but yet there is no legislation in place that we must add value. On the rhetoric of value-addition, we are lagging very much behind,” Venaani said.
Referring to the increase in the uranium spot price, he said this is a good opportunity for Namibia to fetch good returns for its minerals.
“We had a good year. Our uranium has been bought at the highest prices, but we are not adding value to it,” he said.
He made the remarks during a sit-down on The Evening Review, and said the evidence can be found in how the government is dealing with a lack of what he termed effective corporate governance ethos at state institutions.
“The government in power is not really serious at resolving socio-economic challenges in this country. We need a new government that addresses the question of corporate governance because if you do not address the question of malfeasance and greed that eroded this country, [it will continue] to erode this country,” he said.
Government is destroying potentially good initiatives, Venaani said.
“There is good low-hanging fruit and potential in the country, but for as long as there are people who have gotten tired of administrating this country, gotten tired of addressing the key issues, [no progress will be made],” he said.
According to the opposition party leader, the proof of this is in how state institutions are managed.
More than just talk
“How is it possible that companies such as Ohlthaver & List and many others are profitable, and companies that have bigger porfolios than them are being run down and they are monopolies of their own?” Venaani wanted to know.
Despite creating good initiatives, government’s efforts would not bear fruit, he argued.
“Government can credit themselves for creating that low-hanging fruit, but that low-hanging fruit will not transform into benefits for the people of this country.”
He also blasted the state's approach to local value-addition of mineral resources, saying there was a need for more than just rhetoric.
“There is political rhetoric that we must add value to our resources, but yet there is no legislation in place that we must add value. On the rhetoric of value-addition, we are lagging very much behind,” Venaani said.
Referring to the increase in the uranium spot price, he said this is a good opportunity for Namibia to fetch good returns for its minerals.
“We had a good year. Our uranium has been bought at the highest prices, but we are not adding value to it,” he said.
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