By Eliaser Ndeyanale
OUTJO constituency councillor Johannes Antsino last week called on the Government to act in addressing day to day issues affecting ordinary Namibians, despite attempts to stop him from speaking out by his fellow Swapo party Member of Parliament and Linyanti constituency councillor Cletius Sipapela, during the National Council session.
Antsino suggested that regional councillors and the public be consulted by the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to add their input on regional council budgets before they are broken down by the officials at the ministry.
“You are not consulted when the budget is being broken down. This is very discouraging. People should be involved as they have exercised their democratic right when they voted not that someone just comes to speak (on how much money the region has been allocated) and drinks water then they go. It is time that we respond to people’s needs,” Antsino suggested.
Surprisingly Sipapela shouted at his comrade without waiting to be recognised by the chairperson of the National Council; accusing the young MP of sharing the Affirmative Repositioning’s sentiment.
“We know you. You are bringing AR, we will deal with you,” said Sipapela.
An unshaken Antsino continued with his speech, but this time urging the Government to look into the issue of education in his region (Kunene) saying that learners as well as teachers sleep in makeshift tents.
“Teachers and learners sleep in tents, without no network and electricity yet the ministry expects a high pass rate in their exams. This situation is discouraging.”
He also accused foreign investors of dictating on the country’s economy.
“The nation is not benefiting from the economy it’s only foreign investors that are benefiting,” he said, giving an example of Rossing Uranium mine in which Government has a three per cent shareholding.
The Iranian Foreign Investment Company owns 15 per cent, a stake it acquired during the set-up of the company in the early 1970s. The Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa owns 10 per cent, while local individual shareholders own a combined three per cent shares.
“The foreign investors must not tell us what we must own. It is a challenge that we have foreign investors dictating on us.”
Antsino further proposing for the Government to control the allocation of fishing quotas and Exclusive Prospecting Licences (EPL).
“Every foreign company getting fishing or mining rights in Namibia … the Namibian people must get 50 percent from that company.”
Councillor Rosa Kavara requested the Ministry of Mines and Energy to consider rural electrification as schools and clinics in the Kavango West region that have no electricity.
“Sixty percent of offices in the Kavango West region have no electricity while drilling and installation of boreholes takes time to be completed,” she said.