Corruption at conservancies
The environment ministry is investigating accusations that conservancy committee members are misusing and misappropriating conservancy property and money.
Environment and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has warned people who mismanage communal conservancy resources that they will be prosecuted.
Shifeta said the ministry was investigating a number of complaints about mismanagement and corruption within conservancies.
“I want to send a strong warning to those individuals and all those who have that ambition of corruption, mismanagement and mal-administration of conservancy resources that they are already on the wrong side of the law and that my ministry will leave no stone unturned to bring these individuals to order,” Shifeta said.
Shifeta emphasised that a conservancy is not a tool to divide communities along political, racial or ethnic lines, but an initiative aimed at rural economic emancipation.
“I urge you all to commit yourselves to nation-building and not indulging yourselves in creating conflicts among community members and yourselves as conservancy members. This should be made clear to everyone concerned,” Shifeta said.
Some complainants accused conservancy committee members of misusing and misappropriating conservancy property and finances at the expense of the community.
Others complained about a lack of communication between conservancy members and the people in charge, and the reluctance of committee members to relinquish their positions at the end of their terms.
Namibia has more than 80 conservancies which give communities rights over wildlife, which they are expected to manage and in return generate income from tourism and trophy hunting.
Shifeta called on committee members to be accountable and practice good governance.
“In order for the conservancy to serve the interest of local residents, the conservancy committee needs to be accountable to those residents. Accountability means that the committee cannot take whatever decisions it wants to. It must ensure that its decisions have the support of the majority of the residents,” the minister said.
“Poor management of finances in some conservancies is a worrying concern and needs to improve now,” Shifeta further said.
The minister said conservancy members have a big role to play in the fight against poaching.
“You are on the ground and you can therefore see what is happening and possibly prevent that. It is the responsibility of all of us to fight wildlife crime,” he said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Shifeta said the ministry was investigating a number of complaints about mismanagement and corruption within conservancies.
“I want to send a strong warning to those individuals and all those who have that ambition of corruption, mismanagement and mal-administration of conservancy resources that they are already on the wrong side of the law and that my ministry will leave no stone unturned to bring these individuals to order,” Shifeta said.
Shifeta emphasised that a conservancy is not a tool to divide communities along political, racial or ethnic lines, but an initiative aimed at rural economic emancipation.
“I urge you all to commit yourselves to nation-building and not indulging yourselves in creating conflicts among community members and yourselves as conservancy members. This should be made clear to everyone concerned,” Shifeta said.
Some complainants accused conservancy committee members of misusing and misappropriating conservancy property and finances at the expense of the community.
Others complained about a lack of communication between conservancy members and the people in charge, and the reluctance of committee members to relinquish their positions at the end of their terms.
Namibia has more than 80 conservancies which give communities rights over wildlife, which they are expected to manage and in return generate income from tourism and trophy hunting.
Shifeta called on committee members to be accountable and practice good governance.
“In order for the conservancy to serve the interest of local residents, the conservancy committee needs to be accountable to those residents. Accountability means that the committee cannot take whatever decisions it wants to. It must ensure that its decisions have the support of the majority of the residents,” the minister said.
“Poor management of finances in some conservancies is a worrying concern and needs to improve now,” Shifeta further said.
The minister said conservancy members have a big role to play in the fight against poaching.
“You are on the ground and you can therefore see what is happening and possibly prevent that. It is the responsibility of all of us to fight wildlife crime,” he said.
KENYA KAMBOWE
Comments
Namibian Sun
No comments have been left on this article