WINDHOEK – War was declared on poverty and corruption by Prime Minister Dr Hage Geingob when he addressed the farming and business communities in a historic first-ever dialogue session at the Windhoek Country Club Resort on Friday.
Urging a selection of the country’s top businessmen and businesswomen and farming association members to unite as a nation like never before, Geingob called corruption a “disease”, saying it must be fought tooth and nail as it has brought about the demise of many a nation.
He told the crème de la crème of the local business world that they have an obligation to address the social deficit. He compared nation building to the building of a house where every brick adds to the strength of the completed structure.
“United we must declare war against poverty and corruption and teaching our children under trees. We need input from all the resourceful people in the public, private and agricultural sectors to set up a food bank and eradicate poverty,” he demanded to loud applause from the audience in a packed tent.
Geingob did not mince words when he reacted to questions from the floor regarding the public service. “The public service must shake up; it’s been an empty zone for too long where people have become way too comfortable, reaping all the benefits even when they fail in doing what they are being paid to do. Some permanent secretaries have served for so long, they are under the impression they have been employed in that position for ever. This mindset must change; the best policies won’t mean anything if they are not implemented by the right people and for this to happen, we need the solid partnerships of all the sectors and all the right people in the right positions,” he urged in the presence of Minister of Trade and Industry Calle Schlettwein, Minister of Lands and Resettlement Alpheus !Naruseb and Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry John Mutorwa.
Geingob warned against temptation and people who misuse their positions for self-enrichment.
“Corruption does not just stem from poverty; most of the times it originates from greed. We must change our mindsets on this issue and many others by focussing on the needy and not self-enrichment.”
Minister of Trade and Industry Calle Schlettwein said in his response to questions about power supply that Namibia has decided on a diversified approach with a number of suppliers to provide in the needs of the future.
“We must reduce our vulnerability as a net importer of power supply,” he stressed.
Minister of Agriculture, Water and Forestry John Mutorwa answered questions about future water supply. He said government is constantly developing water infrastructure, and invited the private sector to be more active in this area as water is vital for life.
Minister of Lands and Resettlement Alpheus !Naruseb assured that more programmes will be put in action to provide better and more frequent training for resettlement farmers, after president of the Namibian Agricultural Union Derek Wright pointed out the urgent need for decent training of resettled farmers, who have no or very little knowledge of how to become successful farmers in the harsh and unforgiving Namibian environment.