President's budget cut by N$200m

Despite a 32% reduction in its budget, newly appointed presidential affairs minister Martin Andjaba is confident that the office of the president will be able to deliver on its objectives set for the fiscal year. With the tabling of the budget, the presidency received N$411 million in comparison to the N$608 million it received in the prior year - a whopping N$197 million decrease.Presenting his motivation for the approval of the budget to the National Assembly this week, Andjaba said: “As an office we are committed to implementing our programmes, not only efficiently, but effectively within the allocated resource envelope.”Laying out the priorities of the presidency, a he said a programme that caters for marginalised communities will receive N$65.8 million.“These allocations reflect the impact of the cost reduction measures implemented this financial year in order to curb public expenditure. While some services will be negatively affected by these measures, government remains committed to providing services to beneficiaries in these priority areas,” Andjaba said.According to him, the programme has noble objectives, which are aimed at improving the living conditions of some of the most vulnerable communities in society.“As the president has said, no one should feel left out. Broadly, the objectives of the programme include the integration of the San, Ovatue and Ovatjimba communities and people with disabilities into the mainstream economy,” said Andjaba.“In terms of specific activities, it is under this programme that the education for young people from the San communities is catered for, through the San education support programme.”Geingob's state visits to other countries and the visit of other heads of state and senior government officials from other countries is estimated to cost the presidency N$80.8 million.“The fiscal consolidation presents challenges that we, as a country, must face and overcome,” Andjaba said. “The cost cutting measures are evident not only in this Appropriation Bill and those that precede it, but also in other areas of governance including combating corruption and promoting transparency and accountability. Our country is the better for it,” said Andjaba.The directorate of supervision and support services will be allocated a total of N$160 million, Andjaba said. According to him, this was to support the executive branch and so that the Namibian Central Intelligence Service (NCIS) was able to detect and identify threats or potential threats to the security of Namibia, and thereby contribute to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the country.Former presidents Sam Nujoma and Hifikepunye Pohamba and former vice-president Dr Nicky Iyambo would also not be neglected despite the reduction in the budget, Andjaba pointed out. In the current fiscal year, the office of the founding president received N$13.1 million, cut from N$22.9 million in the previous financial year.“We will also continue to ensure that the units providing support services to Namibia's former presidents carryout their duties with utmost dedication at all times,” Andjaba said.OGONE TLHAGE

President's budget cut by N$200m

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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President's budget cut by N$200m

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-02

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