APP hits back at Geingob’s ‘negativity’ remarks
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
The All People’s Party (APP) says Namibians should continue to express themselves when they have concerns about investors coming into the country. The political party called on President Hage Geingob to desist from shutting down the concerns of the public.
These remarks were made yesterday in Rundu by APP secretary-general Vincent Kanyetu, who described Geingob’s recent utterance - that negativity towards investors is hindering efforts to address pressing societal issues - as “careless and disrespectful”.
During a courtesy call by Recon Africa’s founder, Craig Steinke, last week at State House, Geingob said Namibians talk too much, referring to those against the company’s oil drilling activities in Kavango East Region’s Kawe and Mbambi villages.
Kanyetu said the president should allow Namibians to ask what is in it for them as far as development in their communities is concerned, and that everyone must benefit from the country’s resources.
“The APP is disturbed by the sentiments of the head of state on the blocking investors - it is careless and disrespectful to residents,” he said.
“Gone are the days when people clapped for insults and [bought] into rhetoric thrown before them. The Kavango [regions] want to be part of what is for them and eat what they deserve, not to be used in what should benefit those who are hiding while they continue to languish in poverty.”
We must eat too
“Mr President… as long as the exploration or any developmental activity… takes place in whatsoever region of Namibia, Namibians must have access to the eating,” Kanyetu said.
“This tendency of shutting down people whenever they are questioning what is in it for us; the president must also stop this attitude because people here are not chasing away the investors. People are welcoming the development.
“However, this piece work companies are providing to our people is not what we want. We want to see our sons and daughters becoming shareholders, to get dividends at the end of the year and not just pushing wheelbarrows and answering telephone calls. We want strategic positions. As long as we don’t get that, we shall continue talking,” he said.
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RUNDU
The All People’s Party (APP) says Namibians should continue to express themselves when they have concerns about investors coming into the country. The political party called on President Hage Geingob to desist from shutting down the concerns of the public.
These remarks were made yesterday in Rundu by APP secretary-general Vincent Kanyetu, who described Geingob’s recent utterance - that negativity towards investors is hindering efforts to address pressing societal issues - as “careless and disrespectful”.
During a courtesy call by Recon Africa’s founder, Craig Steinke, last week at State House, Geingob said Namibians talk too much, referring to those against the company’s oil drilling activities in Kavango East Region’s Kawe and Mbambi villages.
Kanyetu said the president should allow Namibians to ask what is in it for them as far as development in their communities is concerned, and that everyone must benefit from the country’s resources.
“The APP is disturbed by the sentiments of the head of state on the blocking investors - it is careless and disrespectful to residents,” he said.
“Gone are the days when people clapped for insults and [bought] into rhetoric thrown before them. The Kavango [regions] want to be part of what is for them and eat what they deserve, not to be used in what should benefit those who are hiding while they continue to languish in poverty.”
We must eat too
“Mr President… as long as the exploration or any developmental activity… takes place in whatsoever region of Namibia, Namibians must have access to the eating,” Kanyetu said.
“This tendency of shutting down people whenever they are questioning what is in it for us; the president must also stop this attitude because people here are not chasing away the investors. People are welcoming the development.
“However, this piece work companies are providing to our people is not what we want. We want to see our sons and daughters becoming shareholders, to get dividends at the end of the year and not just pushing wheelbarrows and answering telephone calls. We want strategic positions. As long as we don’t get that, we shall continue talking,” he said.
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