WALVIS BAY – The local fishing industry has reacted furiously to the Namibia Revenue Agency’s suggestion that it can provide more to the public coffers.

The president of the Confederation of Namibian Fishing Associations (CNFA), Matti Amukwa, has come out in defence of the industry, saying the statement made by the Namibia Revenue Agency (NamRA) during their visit to the State House last week is misleading and not a true reflection of the fishing industry’s contributions to Namibia.

Amukwa’s response comes after NamRA commissioner Sam Shivute and his team paid a courtesy call to President Hage Geingob on Thursday, expressing concern over the low contributions of the fishing sector to the government.

Shivute stated that the fishing sector is contributing less than 2% to the total revenue. “You have fish being exported from the country on a weekly basis to lucrative markets like Spain and Italy. Additionally, 12% of fish consumed in Africa comes from Namibia. Despite it being considered one of the top five export sectors for Namibia, looking at the sector’s contribution, it is not even a billion Namibian dollars; it cannot be. We need to pay special attention to this sector,” Shivute said on Thursday.

A disappointed Amukwa, disagreed with the statement, saying it was reckless and was made without understanding the operations or the relevant taxes paid overall by the industry.

 “The hake sector alone pays over N$900 million to NamRA in taxes. Most importantly, the sector pays seven types of levies apart from the taxes collected by NamRA.  

“It is with great concern to the industry that NamRA made such a statement while it did not find it necessary to consult with the CNFA. Apart from the relevant taxes paid by the industry to the State, there are a multitude of statutory payments made by the industry to the government,” Amukwa said.

 According to him, there is a need for NamRA and the sector to engage as soon as possible so that a true reflection of the industry’s contributions can be shared with Namibians.

Amukwa then pointed out that the sector pays an agency levy, Namibia Training Authority levy, export levy, Namibia Standards Institute levy, marine by-catch levy, apart from the taxes collected by NamRA.

“The industry is ready to engage with NamRA to clarify the narrative concerning the industry’s contribution to the fiscus and also its economic contribution to Namibia,” Amukwa said.

He indicated that detailed figures with various levies will be shared this week to shed more clarity on the fishing industry’s contributions.

NamRA spokesperson, Yarukeekuro Ndorokaze, when contacted yesterday did not provide any comment on the issue raised by the fishing industry.

“This, is well received, although on Sunday at midday,” Ndorokaze said yesterday afternoon.

- edeklerk@nepc.com.na