Local News Summary : News Headlines : Discussion Forums

Friday, April 26, 2002 - Web posted at 7:27:51 pm GMT

PRIME Minister Hage Geingob yesterday asked Parliament to approve the N$149 million 2002-3 budget for the Office of the President.

The lion's share is earmarked for the construction of a new State House and to finance the operations of the intelligence unit.

The new State House is expected to take up more than half the budget - N$83 million, while the State spy unit apparently needs N$47 million to finance its operations.

In his motivation, Geingob told the National Assembly that N$15 million of the President's budget would go towards remuneration, travelling and subsistence (S&T), transport and ceremonial expenses, and replacements and purchase of operation equipment in the Office of the President.

The allocation is about 19 per cent more than last year, with the increase attributed to annual salary increases and bonuses for qualifying staff as well as the increase in transport budget for use of vehicles and the aeroplane.

Another N$7,9 million was put aside for the salaries of administrative staff, training, transport and S&T.

The new State House, which is to be built on a hill in Windhoek's southeastern Auasblick residential area, is now projected to cost N$242 million.

This is N$41 million more than the N$201 million budgeted last year for the "total cost" of the President's new residence and office complex.