EDITORIAL

A broke government like ours had no business splashing millions of dollars on high-end accommodation facilities, as is reported in this newspaper today.

Government did not bring Covid-19 upon any of us and thus did not owe anyone butler services, a doorman greeting every guest at the entrance or poolside amenities offered in these plush accommodation facilities.

What government needed to do was ensure that the basic dignity of those isolated is maintained – meaning they are in clean accommodation facilities with basics such as water, TV and healthy food. Not bathrobes, slippers, brand name toiletries and white, plush towels.

This is a pandemic, not a beauty contest. Government’s fiduciary responsibility is to prevent the further spread of the virus and economic hardship. You can’t attain the latter by throwing money recklessly at opulence.

Government owed those isolated healthy food, clean ablution facilities and the warmth of a typical decent household – not window shades with full light blocking features, digital flat screen TVs, fully stocked mini-bars and hair dryers. It’s an isolation facility to help protect the nation from a deadly virus, not some holiday spa in the Caribbean.

Officials may camouflage this wastage as a scarcity of accommodation, but that would be a blue lie. There was no reason to spend N$2 000 per night per person, as is the cost of some of the facilities used, when those that charge N$300 per night were up for grabs and in abundance.