Oropoko purchase stinks

Government appears to be quite selective when it comes to its conservative fiscal and monetary approach. While budget cuts and renewed calls to rein in spending are the buzzwords in the corridors of national treasury, some ministries have continued with their wasteful and frivolous ways. It is unimaginable that in these trying times where massive poverty, inequality and youth unemployment is the order of the day, the ministry of defence finds no fault with splashing taxpayers' money on a luxurious farm. The ministry's wasteful spending of close to N$45 million on the game farm situated outside Okahandja to train troops just doesn't make sense at all. The irony is that the same ministry has sent 30% of its troops on forced leave due to budgetary constraints. Many others are unable to continue their state-sponsored studies because there is simply no money. The ultra-shallow explanation by defence minister Penda Ya Ndakolo in the National Assembly last week is also laughable to say the least. The minister first defended the transaction, saying it was procedural and that it was the cheaper option. Secondly, he claimed President Hage Geingob was not briefed on the purchase owing to his “heavy schedule”. This is after Geingob had raised concerns during the opening session of the cabinet meeting earlier this month that he was surprised to read about the N$45 million spent on acquiring the farm. As commander-in-chief of the Namibian Defence Force it makes absolutely no sense that the number one citizen in the country is not properly briefed on such a critical development. Was the farm acquisition not raised in cabinet, which is chaired by the president? Secondly, the noteworthy silence on the part of the presidency following Ya Ndakolo's parliament statement is a cause for great concern. The president appeared all surprised by this deal, when he directly told the media he “hoped it was not true” that N$45 million was spent on the farm acquisition. This highly questionable deal must be thoroughly investigated. The days of authorities using claims of secrecy to avoid scrutiny and to hide damaging information are over.