There seems to be little return on the billions government pumps into the defence ministry, if a statement delivered by its minister Frans Kapofi yesterday is anything to go by.
Over the years, defence, alongside health and education, have enjoyed the lion’s share of the national budget, with about 80% of these going into salaries and other remuneration-related expenditures.
Controversial defence parastatal August 26 Holding has staunchly refused to account for public monies entrusted to it, a direct contravention of the State Finance Act. Demands by lawmakers, the Auditor- General and the Ombudsman to have the company open its books for public scrutiny have also fallen on deaf ears.
Officials in the army have throughout the years used State security as their line of defence.
In March 2022, finance minister Iipumbu Shiimi allocated N$5.8 billion to the Ministry of Defence, and a further N$874 million to the veterans affairs directorate, which resorts under that ministry.
Addressing staff members yesterday in Windhoek, Kapofi lamented the high maintenance and fuel costs incurred by the ministry.
“Avoid unnecessary trips. Avoid international trips, unless [it is] absolutely necessary,” he stated.
He also wants the ministry to cut wasteful expenditure on paper and ink, among others.
Kapofi likewise took issue with parastatals resorting under his ministry, some of which he accused of doing work outside their scope.
“[There is] no value for money for the government. Are they [companies] meeting their expectations, being whether you are still serving your purpose? These companies were created so that our ministry and government in general derives maximum value for money from your services,” the minister said in a statement seen by New Era.
In January this year, President Hage Geingob called for the acceleration of plans to construct classrooms in partnership with the August 26 construction company “as a matter of utmost urgency”.
Kapofi also expects his staff members to be upright citizens.
“Be patriotic citizens. When on social [media] networks, know what to say and what not to say due to the nature of your work,” he cautioned.
The minister furthermore used the platform to announce that in the past year, he was able to pay out cash advances to veterans of the liberation struggle to fund their projects.
The ministry made payments to 61 veterans over the age of 100, 29 between ages 90 and 99, 54 between ages 80 and 89, 34 between 70 and 79, 212 aged 60-69, and 169 who were aged 50-59.
“Most of them are of advanced age. We need to ensure that we attend and try to resolve their issues on time because they may not have much time left to be with us,” he said, before imploring employees to familiarise themselves with the customer care charter to “improve our service delivery”.
“As officials of this ministry, in our respective departments, we should be reminded that every phone call we make, every trip we undertake, every letter we write is towards the fulfillment of the mandates of this ministry,” he continued.
Kapofi hastened to add that the ministry’s core mandate – protecting Namibia’s territorial integrity – cannot be overstated.
“This mandate cannot be taken lightly. We have to ensure that our men and women in uniform in the army, our seamen and women, “and those in the air force are taken care of in terms of equipment and general wellbeing”.
The minister conceded that members of the Namibian Defence Force generally find themselves in deplorable employment conditions.
“I doubt they are happy because when I visit the bases, I am disappointed by the conditions under which they live. Their kitchens and places where they sleep are in deplorable conditions. Their boots and generally their uniforms do not look good.
“These things are not reflective of the wishes of the sovereigns, who are the providers of the money needed to use properly to ensure that our infrastructure and all other equipment the uniformed officers require to execute their duties are up to standard,” the former military commissar said.
– emumbuu@nepc.com.na