•  December 2000February 2001 Local News Headlines

Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - Web posted at 9:18:21 AM GMT

Cost slashers swing into action
CHRISPIN INAMBAO

A TOP level Technical Committee responsible for identifying cheaper vehicles for ministerial use has met to set presidential cost-cutting measures in motion.

The Technical Committee was appointed by President Sam Nujoma and is composed of the Minister of Works, Transport and Communication, Moses Amweelo, Finance Minister Nangolo Mbumba and senior officials from both Ministries.

Amweelo last week said the Technical Committee would work around the clock to ensure that it completed its task and handed over its recommendations to President Nujoma and Cabinet.

Although reluctant to discuss details of the meetings, Amweelo said the criteria to be used in procuring a new ministerial fleet would be engine "capacity" and the "price" of the car."

"We are going to implement the statement of the President ....it is clear that the Mercedes [Benzes] must be parked .... we are still trying to find a way of implementation ...how it [Nujoma's suggestion] is going to be implemented by all the Ministries," Amweelo said.

"We are going to look at all the cheaper cars ...either the Camry or other cars....the Committee is still working out details," he said.

The pricey ministerial fleet is currently made up of C240 and E240 Mercedes-Benzes plus all-terrain Chevrolets."

"Our work is to consider the price... the capacity and the model of the car ... all those things will be considered," he said.

In the meantime some Ministers are reported to be unhappy with President Nujoma's directive that they give up their Mercs for cheaper Toyota Camrys or Chevrolets.

Authoritative sources close to Government told The Namibian that Nujoma's statement had not gone down well with many in Cabinet, especially those whose official vehicles were still very new.

The disgruntled Ministers may now opt to buy the cars for their own use, it emerged.

On February 6, the President, in a rare attack on his close lieutenants, blasted Cabinet Ministers for systematic wastage of public resources.

Nujoma revealed that some Ministers even went to extent of claiming per diems when they travelled to their villages and farms on private visits.

Since his well-commended statement Nujoma has "parked" his official fleet of Mercedes-Benzes and is using a motorcade consisting of 10 Chevrolet vehicles.

However, it has emerged that the Chevvies cost more than the Mercedes-Benzes and are also more expensive to maintain.

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