Land purchase budget cut in half
Despite urgent needs identified at the Second National Land Conference, the overall development budget for land reform in the current fiscal year was cut by nearly 42% during the mid-year budget review.
Jo-Maré Duddy – Nearly 52% less money is available in 2018/19 to buy farms as part of government’s land reform process.
The mid-year budget review tabled by finance minister Calle Schlettwein last month shows that money available for land purchase in the current fiscal year was cut by nearly N$96.5 million to about N$103.6 million. The budget review followed on the heels of the Second National Land Conference in the first week of October.
Not only was the overall development budget of land reform slashed by nearly N$151.8 million, but the ministry’s total operational expenses were also curtailed by N$1.9 million.
The N$200 million originally allocated for land purchases in the main development budget tabled in March was supposed to buy 75 000 hectares to enable the resettlement of 45 beneficiaries.
The budget for the ongoing resettlement sub-programme was cut by about 60%, with just over N$3 million remaining for 2018/19. This budget provides for the procurement of seeds, diesel and fertilisers, as well the repair of crop field fences.
Also included in this budget are: the construction of pit latrine and water networks in Ohangwena, de-bushing to increase the ploughing area at Neu Sommerau near Kombat, as well as training.
Unscathed
In contrast, the budgets for the construction of ministerial regional offices in Katima Mulilo, Outapi and Rundu were left untouched. A total of N$22 million is earmarked for these buildings this year.
The budget for the improvement of offices and houses of assigned officers in the regions also escaped unscathed and N$1 million in total will be spent in this regard.
In his mid-year budget review speech, Schlettwein said key budgetary priorities for 2019/20 to 2021/22 include “providing resources to give effect to the implementation of the land reform programme and meeting priority resolutions and urgent needs identified” at the land conference.
According to mid-year review budget documents, the development budget for land reform in 2019/20 will be nearly N$287.1 million – the same as stipulated in the main budget earlier this year. The budget for 2020/21 also shows no increase.
The mid-year budget review tabled by finance minister Calle Schlettwein last month shows that money available for land purchase in the current fiscal year was cut by nearly N$96.5 million to about N$103.6 million. The budget review followed on the heels of the Second National Land Conference in the first week of October.
Not only was the overall development budget of land reform slashed by nearly N$151.8 million, but the ministry’s total operational expenses were also curtailed by N$1.9 million.
The N$200 million originally allocated for land purchases in the main development budget tabled in March was supposed to buy 75 000 hectares to enable the resettlement of 45 beneficiaries.
The budget for the ongoing resettlement sub-programme was cut by about 60%, with just over N$3 million remaining for 2018/19. This budget provides for the procurement of seeds, diesel and fertilisers, as well the repair of crop field fences.
Also included in this budget are: the construction of pit latrine and water networks in Ohangwena, de-bushing to increase the ploughing area at Neu Sommerau near Kombat, as well as training.
Unscathed
In contrast, the budgets for the construction of ministerial regional offices in Katima Mulilo, Outapi and Rundu were left untouched. A total of N$22 million is earmarked for these buildings this year.
The budget for the improvement of offices and houses of assigned officers in the regions also escaped unscathed and N$1 million in total will be spent in this regard.
In his mid-year budget review speech, Schlettwein said key budgetary priorities for 2019/20 to 2021/22 include “providing resources to give effect to the implementation of the land reform programme and meeting priority resolutions and urgent needs identified” at the land conference.
According to mid-year review budget documents, the development budget for land reform in 2019/20 will be nearly N$287.1 million – the same as stipulated in the main budget earlier this year. The budget for 2020/21 also shows no increase.
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