PDM negative about 2017
The leader of the official opposition says the government must put the needs of the nation ahead of those of the Swapo Party.
The manner in which the government is operating is “wholly unsustainable”, not just for the future but also for current times, commented McHenry Venaani, president of the Popular Democratic Movement (PDM), in his year-end message.
Venaani said the three downgrades of the country's economy by international bodies were worrying, while the government failed in 2017 to reduce public debt, public spending and the budget deficit.
He said the government's taking on further debt to finance public sector programmes was indicative that a widening and deepening of the tax base had not been successful. Venaani also expressed concern over the collapse of the SME Bank, the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) that teeters on the brink of closure, and the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), which used employees' medical aid contributions to pay salaries. He said another concern was the fact that the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) had to suspend top managers over fraud investigations.
“Miraculously the Anti-Corruption Commission made neither breakthroughs nor arrests in high-level corruption cases and what is more is that Namibia's president is of the opinion that the director of the ACC [Paulus Noa] is doing a good job!” said Venaani. He said 2017 stood out as a year in which administrative and financial mismanagement at state-owned enterprises was brought to the fore.
“The year has also been highlighted by a total lack of political will to address this dangerous malaise,” Venaani said.
One positive he pointed out was the good rain received at the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017, which signalled an end to the crippling drought experienced during the previous two years and allowed the agricultural sector to recover somewhat.
However, he bemoaned the government's failure to modernise the agricultural sector.
“The PDM has in the past continuously called for the modernisation of this sector. We continue this all in the hope that the government will, at a time when resources are scarce, prioritise the needs of the nation ahead of the desires of the Swapo Party,” Venaani said. He said the PDM hoped that President Geingob and his leadership would commit themselves to the implementation of the lofty promises made each year and ensure inclusive development and prosperity for all Namibians.
He said the government should lay foundations for sound economic conditions in an effort to promote job creation and address poverty reduction.
Venaani said the only way this could be achieved was through the introduction of new and proactive measures to tackle the country's socio-economic and developmental challenges.
CATHERINE SASMAN
Venaani said the three downgrades of the country's economy by international bodies were worrying, while the government failed in 2017 to reduce public debt, public spending and the budget deficit.
He said the government's taking on further debt to finance public sector programmes was indicative that a widening and deepening of the tax base had not been successful. Venaani also expressed concern over the collapse of the SME Bank, the Roads Contractor Company (RCC) that teeters on the brink of closure, and the Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), which used employees' medical aid contributions to pay salaries. He said another concern was the fact that the Namibia Airports Company (NAC) had to suspend top managers over fraud investigations.
“Miraculously the Anti-Corruption Commission made neither breakthroughs nor arrests in high-level corruption cases and what is more is that Namibia's president is of the opinion that the director of the ACC [Paulus Noa] is doing a good job!” said Venaani. He said 2017 stood out as a year in which administrative and financial mismanagement at state-owned enterprises was brought to the fore.
“The year has also been highlighted by a total lack of political will to address this dangerous malaise,” Venaani said.
One positive he pointed out was the good rain received at the end of 2016 and beginning of 2017, which signalled an end to the crippling drought experienced during the previous two years and allowed the agricultural sector to recover somewhat.
However, he bemoaned the government's failure to modernise the agricultural sector.
“The PDM has in the past continuously called for the modernisation of this sector. We continue this all in the hope that the government will, at a time when resources are scarce, prioritise the needs of the nation ahead of the desires of the Swapo Party,” Venaani said. He said the PDM hoped that President Geingob and his leadership would commit themselves to the implementation of the lofty promises made each year and ensure inclusive development and prosperity for all Namibians.
He said the government should lay foundations for sound economic conditions in an effort to promote job creation and address poverty reduction.
Venaani said the only way this could be achieved was through the introduction of new and proactive measures to tackle the country's socio-economic and developmental challenges.
CATHERINE SASMAN
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