IPC calls for clarity over fishing rights allocations
The fishing minister explained that some regions did not do well in terms of applying for fishing rights because they applied for fewer fish species while companies from other regions applied for nearly all species.
Kenya Kambowe
RUNDU
The Independent Patriot for Change (IPC) says the fisheries ministry needs to give an in-depth explanation on why regions such as Kavango East and Kavango West were poorly represented in the recent announcement of new fishing rights holders.
According to IPC Kavango East and West spokesperson Frans Kandjilu, government should have provided extensive clarity as to why only a few companies from certain regions got fishing rights as opposed to others.
As per the recent announcement by fisheries minister Albert Kawana, companies from Kavango East and Kavango West represent 0.6% and 0.4% of the total rights allocated respectively.
Kawana did explain that some regions did not do well in terms of applying for the fishing rights, adding that the main factor was that they applied for fewer fish species while companies from other regions applied for nearly all species.
However, despite Kawana’s explanation, the announcement was met with criticism by stakeholders including the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) Kavango East branch, who this week expressed their disappointment over the allocation to the region.
Clarity needed
Meanwhile, Kandjilu said some of the criticism would not have surfaced if proper clarity was given to the public.
“The concern of the public is that why did the two Kavango regions get the least portion of this rights,” he said.
“This concern should have at least alarmed the leadership or the line ministry responsible for this at both national and regional level to provide the public with clarity on the terms and conditions attached to the attainment of these fishing rights.
“We know that when applying for a certain thing, the application can either go through or be rejected, which should undoubtedly depend from the set requirements.”
Silence
Kandjilu further added that the lack of information to the public from government is what is resulting in misinformed perceptions, something he said can be avoided if clarity is provided.
“It is the silence of our leaders which sometimes makes people say certain unnecessary things about how they are treated by their own leaders,” he said.
“Sharing of information is very important, especially now that time has brought us to where regional disparities in terms of development demand for a reasonable balance.
“Clarifying this will enable the people of the two regions in question to begin to take opportunities seriously if it turns out that the Kavango people did not apply in numbers. However, if it turns out that many applied but their applications were rejected, the next is to find out and understand why the applications were rejected. Like never before, this kind of information is pertinent for the new beginning of the two regions,” he said.
[email protected]
RUNDU
The Independent Patriot for Change (IPC) says the fisheries ministry needs to give an in-depth explanation on why regions such as Kavango East and Kavango West were poorly represented in the recent announcement of new fishing rights holders.
According to IPC Kavango East and West spokesperson Frans Kandjilu, government should have provided extensive clarity as to why only a few companies from certain regions got fishing rights as opposed to others.
As per the recent announcement by fisheries minister Albert Kawana, companies from Kavango East and Kavango West represent 0.6% and 0.4% of the total rights allocated respectively.
Kawana did explain that some regions did not do well in terms of applying for the fishing rights, adding that the main factor was that they applied for fewer fish species while companies from other regions applied for nearly all species.
However, despite Kawana’s explanation, the announcement was met with criticism by stakeholders including the Swapo Party Youth League (SPYL) Kavango East branch, who this week expressed their disappointment over the allocation to the region.
Clarity needed
Meanwhile, Kandjilu said some of the criticism would not have surfaced if proper clarity was given to the public.
“The concern of the public is that why did the two Kavango regions get the least portion of this rights,” he said.
“This concern should have at least alarmed the leadership or the line ministry responsible for this at both national and regional level to provide the public with clarity on the terms and conditions attached to the attainment of these fishing rights.
“We know that when applying for a certain thing, the application can either go through or be rejected, which should undoubtedly depend from the set requirements.”
Silence
Kandjilu further added that the lack of information to the public from government is what is resulting in misinformed perceptions, something he said can be avoided if clarity is provided.
“It is the silence of our leaders which sometimes makes people say certain unnecessary things about how they are treated by their own leaders,” he said.
“Sharing of information is very important, especially now that time has brought us to where regional disparities in terms of development demand for a reasonable balance.
“Clarifying this will enable the people of the two regions in question to begin to take opportunities seriously if it turns out that the Kavango people did not apply in numbers. However, if it turns out that many applied but their applications were rejected, the next is to find out and understand why the applications were rejected. Like never before, this kind of information is pertinent for the new beginning of the two regions,” he said.
[email protected]
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