Poverty ministry clarifies its position

Lot Ndamanomhata, spokesperson for the poverty eradication ministry, sent a statement to Namibian Sun to clarify the position of the ministry in terms of procurement from Agro-Marketing and Trade Agency (Amta) and Agribusdev.

The ministry does not, at this time, procure any foodstuffs from AMTA or Agribusdev.

According to Ndamanomhata, both agencies were engaged.

“The ministry had given Agribusdev a list of rations that it needs for food provision. The ministry would like to reiterate that it was Agribusdev that had indicated they would be able to supply food items for the food bank and not Amta,” Ndamanomhata said.

As discussions advanced with Agribusdev, it was discovered that they would not be able to supply the ministry with the items needed for the food parcel, save for maize meal. This engagement was not done with Amta.

“The cost of maize meal and related costs (including transport) were too expensive,” he said, adding that the ministry could not continue with such an arrangement with Agribusdev.

Agribusdev would have provided maize meal in the Khomas Region and at Opuwo and Khorixas.