Windhoek
President Hage Geingob yesterday promised to make public all declarations of intent by his ministers and deputy ministers, as the new government’s quest for transparency continues unabated.
By yesterday, 88% of such declarations had reached the President’s office – with only three ministers not having made their submissions.
Geingob urged ministers Tjekero Tweya, Sophia Shaningwa and Katrina Hanse-Himarwa to submit their statements without delay.
The deadline for submission for all ministers and deputy ministers was May 30 – but Geingob revealed he received the first declaration on May 14 by Finance Minister Calle Schlettwein.
“By the 29th of May, 20 out of 26 statements were received, representing a response rate of 77 percent,” the President said in a brief statement yesterday.
Overall, the submissions currently stand at 88%, Geingob confirmed. “I thank those ministers that have adhered to my directive and submitted their statements on time and urge those ministers that did not submit their statements yet to do so without delay,” he said.
“Since the declarations of intent constitute a promise by ministers to the public, they will be released in due course to the nation.”
Geingob said he would, on a regular basis, personally hold ministers accountable on what he regards as a sacrosanct promise to the public.
Since taking office in March, President Geingob has persistently emphasised the need for transparency in the public sector as a way to detect devilish practices such as corruption and conflict of interest.
To get the ball rolling, the President publicly revealed his wealth and that of his wife – businesswoman Monica Geingos.
The pair’s combined wealth lingers around N$110 million.