Staff Reporter
CONCERNS have been raised in the National Assembly (NA) over Namibia Industrial Development Agency’s (NIDA) alleged sale of state assets, as well as allegedly striking deals with foreign business entities without following procurement processes.
President of the Affirmative Repositioning movement (AR), Job Amupanda, said that state-owned enterprises are important as they contribute to GDP, serve as an employment safety net, and support the developmental agenda. However, he expressed concern over the operations of NIDA.
“Namibia’s industrial policy has three components: transforming the economy, creating jobs, and ending poverty. However, transforming the economy also means ownership of the economy. The reduction of poverty means it has faces. I am raising these urgent questions with regard to NIDA. The NIPDB seconded a CEO to NIDA. However, every time we wake up to news that assets of the state are either being privatized or auctioned off to foreigners. The Manyeha crocodile farm is gone to a South African company. The farm in Kavango, where there is a lot of cattle, is already under negotiation to be privatized or given to a foreigner. The government got land through the Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the ministry gave it to NIDA. It was supposed to be a conference centre with the capacity to host 5,000 people. As we speak, NIDA is busy negotiating with a British company to do private activity on that land,” Amupanda said.
He further questioned Deputy Prime Minister Natangwe Ithete on whether or not he is aware of these deals and queried whether it is in line with the government’s current policy approach.
“Now, are you not concerned? Are you aware of these activities? Is it the ministry’s approach to privatise state assets or work with foreigners without going through tender? This is at odds with what the government stands for. Kongola is gone to South Africans. They continue to acquire conservancies,” Amupanda questioned.
In response, Ithete said that he is aware of some of the issues surrounding the State-Owned Enterprise, NIDA, and added that he met with the Board Chairperson last week and is expected to meet with the entire board and management this week.
“I will not shy away from the fact that there are a number of shortfalls at NIDA. I engaged the chairperson of the board last week. We are going to meet the entire management and board as well. There are a number of issues that I am aware of, and some that I am not. All SOEs are created to serve, first and foremost, the Namibian people,” Ithete said, encouraging Amupanda to bring to light any other irregularities that he may be aware of.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Photo: File
