Windhoek
Unlike its predecessors, the fifth national development plan (NDP5), can be considered a more inclusive national policy document, as its agenda is being developed by stakeholders themselves. In addition, NDP5 – which like its predecessors is a five-year national development plan – can be seen to compliment the Harambee Prosperity Plan after it expires in March 2020.
“Wider consultations and inclusivity are the main key principles guiding the crafting of the next national development plan. We want to ensure ownership and motivation for speedy implementation of NDP5 in the spirit of no sector or part of society or community should feel left out,” said spokesperson of the National Planning Commission (NPC) Fillemon Nangonya.
Nangonya added that this time around the NPC would scale up the planning and consultations at every step of the production cycle, including implementation, monitoring and evaluation. He continued that thus far the NPC has consulted a variety of stakeholders, specifically within the private sector, with the cooperation of the Namibia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NCCI), as well as parastatals, ministries and agencies, as well as youth groups, while plans are underway to meet civil society organisations and development partners this week.
“All consulted stakeholders have really contributed fruitfully and are happy to have been included in the national planning process. We also want to assure them our highest promise that their identified issues will for sure set the next agenda,” Nangonya stated. He noted that concerns raised so far centre on the economic, social, environmental and governance issues. In the same spirit of inclusivity, Nangonya urged regional communities to prepare for the consultations, which according to him, will take place in June.
At a recent NCCI meeting, Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila said NDP5 will undoubtedly be able to take its cue from both the spirit of the Harambee Plan and from the development priorities it promotes. The PM added that besides complementing Harambee during its course, NDP5 can serve as an extension thereof after its expiry in 2020.
The first National Development Plan (NDP1) was formulated for 1995/1996 to 2000/2001, focusing on the diversification of the economy and consolidation of the achievements realised during the initial five years of Independence. NDP2 was in place from 2001 to 2005 with the objective to reduce poverty; create employment; promote economic empowerment; stimulate and sustain economic growth; reduce inequalities in income distribution and regional development; promote gender equality and equity; enhance environmental and ecological sustainability; and combat the spread of HIV/AIDS.
In 2004 Namibia adopted Vision 2030, a document that focuses on eight themes to realise the country’s long-term vision. Vision 2030’s themes are: inequality and social welfare; human resources development and institutional capacity building; macro-economic issues; population, health and development; Namibia’s natural resources sector; knowledge, information and technology; and factors of the external environment.
The Third National Development Plan (NDP3) for the period 2008 to 2012 was then developed as another major step in achieving Namibias vision to be a prosperous industrialised country by 2030. NDP4 (2012/2013 to 2016/2017) focuses on three goals: faster and sustainable economic growth; the creation of employment opportunities; and enhanced income equality.