Travelling is not fun u2013 Hage
Travelling is not fun u2013 Hage

Travelling is not fun – Hage

Ogone Tlhage
President Hage Geingob last week told lawmakers in parliament that his frequent overseas trips don't meant that he enjoys travelling.

He made the remark during a question-and-answer session following the delivery of his last State of the Nation Address before the national elections slated for later this year.

According to Geingob, he travels because it is necessary to do so. Asked whether he was willing to cut his travelling expenses, he told All People's Party member of parliament Ignatius Shixwameni that he had been travelling since the 1960s.

“I travel because it is necessary …do you think at my age I enjoy travelling?” he asked. Geingob further said that the time spent in transit made travelling undesirable but added that the use of a private jet made it a little better.

The subject of Geingob's travelling was highlighted by The Namibian last year. The newspaper noted that the president had travelled to 16 countries since assuming the presidency in 2015. These destinations included China, Kenya, Mauritania, Canada, England, Ethiopia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria, Botswana, Malawi, Angola, Guinea, and most recently Portugal.

Up to the end of 2018, Geingob is said to have pocketed N$850 000 in subsistence and travel allowances.

Budget documents indicate that Geingob's office will be allocated N$25 million for travel allowances this financial year. It is unclear from the budget documents how much is earmarked solely for Geingob.

In January 2018 Geingob had suspended foreign trips for ministers and other high-ranking government officials to cut costs. The short-lived moratorium was lifted the next month.

“Since assuming office three years ago, Geingob has been leading by example in controlling travel expenses, taking critical visits only with a small delegation,” a government statement issued at the time said.

STAFF REPORTER

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Namibian Sun 2024-03-28

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