Lahja Nashuuta
Landless People’s Movement leader Bernadus Swartbooi has accused the government of using public resources to advance the ruling party’s election agenda.
According to Swartbooi, the government’s decision last week to subsidise the cost of electricity by N$365 for the current financial year is an election gimmick for the upcoming Presidential and National Assembly elections.
It is Swartbooi’s position that government intervention provides temporary relief, while concerns about electricity costs will remain beyond 27 November.
“The Electricity Control Board (ECB) has projected further increases in electricity tariffs for the subsequent years, with significant hikes expected from 2025/26 onwards. This raises questions about the sustainability and long-term affordability of electricity for Namibian households and businesses,” Swartbooi said while addressing a press conference in the capital yesterday.
He also accused the government of prioritising profit-making with exorbitant profit margins at the expense of the public.
“Is the government trying to make a profit from electricity tariffs? This approach is unacceptable, as it places an undue burden on the livelihoods of Namibians, who are already grappling with a high repo rate of 7.75% and an inflation rate of about 4.9%,” he said.
He added that the ECB’s model appears disconnected from the economic realities faced by “our people, creating a crippling combination of high electricity tariffs, a steep repo rate, and inflation”.
Furthermore, Swartbooi also interrogated the transparency and accountability derived from electricity tariffs.
“Where does the revenue generated from these high tariffs go? How much does energy cost the government? The government’s approach seems more focused on generating revenue than providing affordable energy to its citizens. Are there no other means of sourcing electricity besides relying on imports from South Africa? Why are we not exploring and investing in other local and renewable energy sources?” Swartbooi questioned.
Additionally, he pointed out that NamPower’s purported monopoly as well as the inclusion of regional electricity distributors (REDs) have made electricity expensive, hence proposing that the local authorities be allowed to implement the Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) system to allow them to generate and manage their own energy to lower costs for consumers.
Last year, Swartbooi labelled the national power utility – NamPower – an exaggerated retail shop that exists to buy and sell electricity to Namibians, while having failed to make the country energy-resilient in three decades.
At the time, Swartbooi said NamPower exists to pay hefty salaries to its executives and board of directors, who are pompous enough to defy Cabinet directives and hold an entire country hostage with threats of switching off “the lights”.
“It is a company that has lost its fundamental compact to make sure that electricity in this country is both available, affordable, consistent and pro-developmental. And they have decided to hijack society’s direction and decided that they are the sole enterprise that can decide when we will have lights, and for how many hours.
“It [NamPower] does not demonstrate a proper business strategy, having been a monopoly for so many years, to ensure that we are a shining example of how natural resources can be converted for a common social good,” Swartbooi said then.
According to the politician, the country needs a long-term solution. He asked why the subsidies are only happening now when the electricity tariff has been on the increase for the past years.
To address the current power woes, Swartbooi said, the government needs to accelerate the development of solar and biomass projects to reduce dependency on imported electricity and lower costs for consumers.
Swartbooi further proposes that the government should develop a more sustainable tariff model that considers the economic realities faced by Namibians, ensuring that electricity remains affordable for all households and businesses.
He further called on the government to prioritise the implementation of comprehensive energy reforms.
This, he said, includes the swift advancement of renewable energy projects, revising regulatory frameworks to facilitate local energy production, and reducing reliance on imported electricity.
“The Landless People’s Movement remains committed to fighting for the rights of all Namibians and ensuring that our energy policies are fair, transparent, and sustainable. We urge the government to take immediate action to address these concerns and work towards a future where every Namibian has access to affordable and sustainable energy,” he said.
Reaction
Reacting to Swartbooi’s assertions, Swapo Party Youth League secretary Ephraim Nekongo was unfazed, saying his party was only preoccupied with doing what was in the best interest of Namibians.
“It is worth noting that electricity subsidies are intended to benefit all Namibian people, including members of the LPM. Therefore, the assertion made by the LPM that the subsidies are merely a political ploy should be carefully scrutinised. If the subsidies genuinely aim to alleviate the burden of electricity costs for the Namibian populace, then it is crucial for all parties to acknowledge and appreciate the positive impact such measures can have on the citizens,” the SPYL leader said.
Nekongo then reassured the LPM that it should not fear losing popularity at the polls over electricity subsidies.
“It is imperative to understand that Swapo and its presidential candidate are confident in securing an overwhelming victory. This confidence is rooted in the fact that Swapo is a large and established party with deep connections to the people. Swapo remains the party of the people, and the people are Swapo,” Nekongo said.
Political heat
He gave the LPM some advice on how to go about its campaign.
“In response to the LPM’s claims, it is important for them to engage in constructive dialogue with the public and present their viewpoints and evidence to support their assertions. Campaigning to convince voters based on well-founded arguments and alternative proposals can contribute to a more informed electorate and foster healthy political discourse,” Nekongo said.
He added, “It is essential for political parties to prioritise the needs and interests of the Namibian people above all else. By focusing on tangible solutions and genuine efforts to improve the lives of citizens, parties can demonstrate their commitment to serving the public effectively.”
Nekongo had a message for voters: “Ultimately, voters should be encouraged to make informed decisions based on a comprehensive understanding of the issues at hand. By engaging in open and transparent discussions, political parties can contribute to a more informed and empowered electorate that chooses representatives who best align with their interests and aspirations.”
(LPM)