Hage’s first 100 days deliver several highlights

Among the achievements listed at a media conference held by President Hage Geingob yesterday, dealing with his first 100 days in office, was the granting of war veteran status to a further 789 applicants, the training 1 037 civil servants, the distribution tins of fish in all 14 regions and sending local medical doctors to become specialised in neighbouring countries. Geingob took over the instruments of State power from his predecessor Hifikepunye Pohamba on March 21. During his first 100 days in power, the Public Service Commission (PSC) recorded 113 cases of promotion, 99 transfers, 130 appointments of foreigners and 11 re-appointments of retirees. The Department of Veterans Affairs accorded 789 individuals veteran status, while 18 000 applications are still being processed. A total of 297 veterans were also added to the payment system for a monthly grant of N$2 500. The department dealing with the integration of marginalised communities, managed over the past 100 days to relocate 20 households from the San community in Gam to Ondera Yahorua. They will participate in animal husbandry and gardening under the resettlement support programme. The Office of the Prime Minister An amount of N$47 million was budgeted for the purchase of 11 522 metric tons of grain, as well as its milling. The grain was distributed to affected communities in the country. The Office of the Prime Minister also reviewed the New Equitable Economic Empowerment Framework (NEEEF) Bill, which is to be submitted to Cabinet. The Bill will be tabled in the National Assembly before September. A framework for the declaration of interests by public servants was also established, based on a law compelling them to declare private interests and engagements, if they have remunerative work outside the public service. Another achievement was the facilitation of capacity building through the Namibia Institute of Public Administration and Management (Nipam), which trained a total of 1 037 participants. They were trained in the public sector in performance management, presentation skills, business communication and leadership. Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and SME Development During the first 100 days of Geingob’s administration, 420 SMEs have been supported through support programmes to the value of N$14 million. The ministry also launched the Tripartite Free Trade Area (TFTA), which was agreed upon at a summit held in Egypt this month. Another success was that 92 SMEs had been supported to participate at local trade fairs. A total of 19 SMEs will promote their products at international trade exhibitions. The ministry will develop an action plan for the implementation of the Growth at Home Strategy for Industrialisation which is expected to be finalised today. Home Affairs The Ministry of Home Affairs completed the renovation of the asylum seekers’ centre in Katima Mulilo. The ministry also integrated 2 400 former Angolan refugees into Namibia. The ministry reduced the waiting time for travel documents and issuance of visas from 10 to two days. In terms of sport, Namibia scooped 37 medals at the Nedbank National Championships for Physically Disabled, which was held in South Africa. Brave Warriors also won the 2015 Cosafa Cup, which was also held in South Africa. Thirty-eight unemployed youth were offered field guide training through co-operation between the Directorate of Youth Development, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Wilderness Safari. Gender Equality and Child Welfare This ministry embarked on the sensitisation of gender and related laws in various regions to combat gender-based violence and the expansion and strengthening of the social protection system for children. The Child Care and Protection Act was passed by Parliament and The Day of the African Child was celebrated in all 14 regions, with the main event held in Groot Aub in the Khomas Region. International Relations and Co-operation This ministry investigated diplomatic relations between Namibia and Saudi Arabia. It also signed a memorandum of understanding with Angola for the construction of bridges across the Okavango River. This ministry also signed an agreement with South Africa in terms of the implementation of drought relief assistance of N$100 million promised by that country’s President Jacob Zuma during a State visit in 2013. Geingob also participated in the 25th African Union (AU) summit which was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, while Namibia hosted the AU Peace and Security Council (PSC) in Swakopmund. Health and Social Services This ministry mobilised private sector volunteers to give up their free time to provide medical services in remote areas, and in so doing help reduce the waiting list for operations and specialised services. The ministry sent medical doctors to become specialised in neighbouring Zimbabwe and South Africa. Justice A total of 2 241 cases received in the lower courts have been finalised, while 1305 are still pending. The Office of the Ombudsman completed a human rights manual for parliamentarians and drafted a prevention of torture manual to train police officers. WINDHOEK KENYA KAMBOWE