'Orokopo buy smells of corruption'
The official opposition says something is rotten about the NDF's purchase of a game farm for N$45 million, while adding that the money should rather have been used to uplift the homeless and unemployed.
The Popular Democratic Movement (PDM) says it remains convinced there were numerous irregularities with regard to the purchase of Oropoko Farm by the Namibian Defence Force (NDF).
PDM parliamentarian Nico Smit said the more defence minister Penda Ya Ndakolo gives explanations about the purchase of the farm, “the more he is putting his foot in his mouth”.
“The more he explains, the clearer it becomes that the purchase of this farm has gone hand in hand with numerous irregularities that look suspiciously like corruption.”
According to Smit the PDM is convinced that that the facilities are dilapidated and that animals such as rhino that are supposedly at the farm do not exist.
Last week, Ya Ndakolo admitted to fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly that he did not inform President Hage Geingob about the military's decision to purchase the farm for N$45 million, because of the head of state's “heavy schedule”.
The PDM also believes that no proper asset register has been drawn up regarding what was being purchased on the farm.
“It is believed that this transaction to buy Oropoko has been in the pipeline for some ten years, during which time little effort has been made to maintain the infrastructure.”
According to Smit this means that the facilities will have to be rehabilitated to the tune of many millions of taxpayer dollars, which should rather be spent on uplifting thousands of homeless and unemployed people living in shacks and at rubbish dumps.
He said another important point is whether the farm is even suitable for military activities.
Smit said it is clear that Ya Ndakolo has no idea what the real purpose was for purchasing the farm.
“It is sheer nonsense to suggest that troops must be taught about nature conservation. Was any proper research done about whether the area will allow a military class airport to be built there? After all, it is surrounded by other occupied working farms and tourist lodges, not to mention mountains. Are they going to be happy to be neighbours to such a military installation?”
Smit said tourism brings in the most foreign currency for Namibia. “How happy will tourists on surrounding lodges be to listen to military aircraft screaming overhead? How will the game and farm animals react to this? Is there even enough flat land available to accommodate such a runway?”
Smit said according to Oropoko's closest neighbours, the area is densely populated by both humans and animals and they will be in danger if any weapon bigger than a rifle is used on a shooting range.
“Were these neighbours in any way consulted about this plan for Oropoko? What are the chances that the minister is going to find himself involved in a costly lawsuit in this regard?”
Smit also questioned how many military bases Namibia actually needs.
He said Ya Ndakolo will refuse to provide any further answers, on the grounds of national security, while warning that such secrecy is the perfect breeding ground for corruption and “state capture”.
Smit said there is no external threat to Namibia that makes it necessary for the country to maintain a huge Defence Force that eats up billions of dollars that could be spent on housing, medical services and other much-needed social services.
“In our opinion we already have more than enough military bases. This farm is entirely unsuitable for what the minister claims they want to use it for. It is highly unlikely that it could house 300 soldiers and what are they going to spend their time doing? It seems far more likely that Oropoko will be used as a holiday resort for the political elite of the majority party.”
ELLANIE SMIT
PDM parliamentarian Nico Smit said the more defence minister Penda Ya Ndakolo gives explanations about the purchase of the farm, “the more he is putting his foot in his mouth”.
“The more he explains, the clearer it becomes that the purchase of this farm has gone hand in hand with numerous irregularities that look suspiciously like corruption.”
According to Smit the PDM is convinced that that the facilities are dilapidated and that animals such as rhino that are supposedly at the farm do not exist.
Last week, Ya Ndakolo admitted to fellow lawmakers in the National Assembly that he did not inform President Hage Geingob about the military's decision to purchase the farm for N$45 million, because of the head of state's “heavy schedule”.
The PDM also believes that no proper asset register has been drawn up regarding what was being purchased on the farm.
“It is believed that this transaction to buy Oropoko has been in the pipeline for some ten years, during which time little effort has been made to maintain the infrastructure.”
According to Smit this means that the facilities will have to be rehabilitated to the tune of many millions of taxpayer dollars, which should rather be spent on uplifting thousands of homeless and unemployed people living in shacks and at rubbish dumps.
He said another important point is whether the farm is even suitable for military activities.
Smit said it is clear that Ya Ndakolo has no idea what the real purpose was for purchasing the farm.
“It is sheer nonsense to suggest that troops must be taught about nature conservation. Was any proper research done about whether the area will allow a military class airport to be built there? After all, it is surrounded by other occupied working farms and tourist lodges, not to mention mountains. Are they going to be happy to be neighbours to such a military installation?”
Smit said tourism brings in the most foreign currency for Namibia. “How happy will tourists on surrounding lodges be to listen to military aircraft screaming overhead? How will the game and farm animals react to this? Is there even enough flat land available to accommodate such a runway?”
Smit said according to Oropoko's closest neighbours, the area is densely populated by both humans and animals and they will be in danger if any weapon bigger than a rifle is used on a shooting range.
“Were these neighbours in any way consulted about this plan for Oropoko? What are the chances that the minister is going to find himself involved in a costly lawsuit in this regard?”
Smit also questioned how many military bases Namibia actually needs.
He said Ya Ndakolo will refuse to provide any further answers, on the grounds of national security, while warning that such secrecy is the perfect breeding ground for corruption and “state capture”.
Smit said there is no external threat to Namibia that makes it necessary for the country to maintain a huge Defence Force that eats up billions of dollars that could be spent on housing, medical services and other much-needed social services.
“In our opinion we already have more than enough military bases. This farm is entirely unsuitable for what the minister claims they want to use it for. It is highly unlikely that it could house 300 soldiers and what are they going to spend their time doing? It seems far more likely that Oropoko will be used as a holiday resort for the political elite of the majority party.”
ELLANIE SMIT
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