Conservancies warned about corruption

WINDOEK ELLANIE SMIT

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism yesterday issued a stern warning to conservancies stating that corruption will not be tolerated stating that any individuals or groups indulging in corrupt practices would face the consequences of their actions.
The Deputy Minister of Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, issued the warning yesterday at the opening of the Conservancy Chairperson Forum in Windhoek. The 2011 State of Conservancy Report and the National Policy on Community Based Natural Resource Management was also launched at the event.
I want to send a strong warning to conservancies or individuals in conservancies who have ambitions for corruption, mismanagement and maladministration of conservancy funds and resources, that they are already on the wrong side of the law, said Shifeta.
He stressed that the systems, procedures and policies being put in place by the Ministry would leave no stone unturned to bring these individuals and/or conservancies to book.
He further urged conservancy members and traditional authorities to commit themselves to nation building and not to indulge in infighting and tribal differences.
A conservancy is not a tool to divide community members along political, tribal, racial or ethnic lines, but a vehicle (for) rural economic emancipation. This should be clear to everyone concerned, he said.
Shifeta's remarks came shortly after conservancy representatives from different regions highlighted the challenges and problem areas some conservancies faced, which included mismanagement and political interference.