Namibian professionals demand fair treatment

Young Namibian architects, engineers and quantity surveyors yesterday hand-delivered no fewer than 300 curricula vitae to the Ministry of Works and Transport as proof that the country has enough skilled people.

The professionals demanded that jobs be given to Namibians instead of foreigners and demanded that contracts of Zimbabweans, which expired in June, not be extended.

They came from the Namibian Society of Engineers (NASE), Namibian Institute of Architectural Consultants (NIAC), the Engineering Professions Association of Namibia (EPA), the Namibia Institute of Architects (NIA), and others.

Namibian professionals are outraged over what is considered preferential treatment of Zimbabwean engineers, architects and quantity surveyors who have been working at the ministry since 2012 after an agreement was signed by former President Hifikepunye Pohamba and President Robert Mugabe.





There is also uproar over a request by works minister Alpheus !Naruseb's request for exempting Zimbabwean architects and quantity surveyors from registration with the professional council.



“Here is the proof that there are local people with sufficient skills,” said one of the professionals who had gathered in a boardroom at the works ministry to hand over the CVs.



“The ministry needs to be strong and be pro-Namibian because if you are not pro-Namibian, what is the point? We want you on our side,” the professional added.



The local professionals urged the ministry to embrace a “positive mindset” towards fellow Namibians.



Permanent secretary Willem Goeiemann, who met the young professionals, undertook to receive the CVs and discuss the matter with a technical team at the ministry, as well as cabinet secretary George Simataa and !Naruseb.



It is anticipated that recommendations will come from these discussions, which will include further engagements with the Namibian professionals.



Goeiemann said the 2012 agreement between Namibia and Zimbabwe was signed at a time when there was a genuine shortage of technical skills in the country.



“That is why discussions started between the Namibian and Zimbabwean governments. It was decided that 89 Zimbabweans would be brought here for a period of five years to help us implement capital projects. That was the basis on which things were discussed,” said Goeiemann.



The five-year contracts of the Zimbabweans expired in June but, last month the ministry decided to extend the contracts for a further three months.



Goeiemann yesterday said the extension of the contracts was to give the Zimbabweans enough time to pack up since they had families to take care of.



He added that the contracts with the Zimbabweans would not be renewed. However, the office of the attorney-general is currently devising a new agreement with the government of Zimbabwe.



Goeiemann would not expound on the content of the new agreement but said it should not be confused with the contracts of the Zimbabweans.



Despite numerous claims to the contrary, Goeiemann described the secondment of the Zimbabweans to the ministry over the last five years as a positive contribution.



“The agreement certainly improved things at the ministry. Some of the Zimbabweans are also going beyond the call of duty from the assessment we have received especially from the regions where governors are calling for the renewal of their contracts,” said Goeiemann.



The secondment of the Zimbabweans to the works ministry was strongly criticised by staff as well as local graduates.



Among other things, it was claimed that there were no Namibian understudies as the agreement had stipulated and because of that no Namibian at the ministry was able to register with professional councils.



It was also claimed that many of the Zimbabweans who acted as project managers here had very little if any work experience before they arrived here.



The high salaries of the Zimbabweans were also questioned. From a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs and Immigration, staff at the works ministry claimed that 10 Zimbabwean chief officers received yearly salaries of N$437 343 each, which included a housing allowance.



The remaining 78 Zimbabweans received a yearly salary of N$413 081 each, which also included housing allowances.



Despite provision made for housing allowances, the works ministry also paid their rent, which amounted to more than N$8 million per year.



On top of that, ministerial vehicles allocated to the Zimbabweans cost the ministry N$10 million per month.