Editorial: Parastatals Are Not State's Playthings
IT'S BEEN an oft-repeated request on our part, but Government really does need to stop using the parastatals or State-owned enterprises, SOEs as they are known, as their personal playthings.
The fact that they are, in the first place, Government-owned, does
mean that Government has a role and function especially in regard
to the smooth running of these institutions, and it must be
emphasised they are not therefore, independent from Government.
But Government, when it does intervene in the affairs of any of
the SOEs, should do so for the right reasons.
If they don't follow this advice, they can be accused of
interfering and meddling for spurious political and other reasons,
and this is not conducive to confidence, nor is it positive for the
development of our country.
There have been a number of examples of late, where Government
has done just that - meddled in the affairs of parastatals for the
wrong reasons.
The Agribank saga is a case in point.
In this instance Minister of Finance Saara Kuugongelwa Amadhila
fired the board because they refused to appoint a person not
suitably qualified for the post of Chief Executive Officer.
The person the Minister wanted for the post in question was
Deputy Lands Minister, Isack Katali.
This was just one example of blatant interference and meddling
in the affairs of a parastatal.
In a similar incident, the Roads Authority board faced the axe
from Works, Transport and Communications Minister, Moses Amweelo,
ostensibly because they refused to adhere to Government rules and
regulations on the employment of foreigners at the parastatal.
Then of course, there is the slightly more controversial case of
the likely dismissal of Nored CEO, Martin Heita, ostensibly for
'criticising the President'.
Combined, these incidents only serve to fuel uncertainty and
hesitant management of these parastatals because factors other than
the smooth running of them, seems to play a role in the dismissal
of boards and-or CEOs.
Constant changes in management at many of the parastatals is
also not conducive to good performance of the SOE in particular, or
the stability and motivation of staff in general.
Not spoken about openly, but still probably key to the political
interference by Government in the top management of various SOEs,
is the question of 'jobs for comrades'.
With elections just in sight, many have been critical of the
fact that the ruling party is rewarding some, while ensuring that
others, who may have aligned themselves with Swapo leaders who have
now fallen from favour, are excluded or omitted from vying for
positions or posts.
This is truly unacceptable.
Our parastatals could be important revenue-generating
institutions for the country.
However, apart from certain key exceptions which have known
stable and consistent management and lack of interference, most of
them simply can't get on with the job.
We reiterate that it is important that Government oversee proper
financial management of the SOEs because it is in the interests of
the country and its people, and it must continue to take action (as
has been done on a few occasions) against those CEOs and top
officials who abuse their posts; but they must refrain immediately
from meddling for personal political reasons.
But Government, when it does intervene in the affairs of any of the
SOEs, should do so for the right reasons.If they don't follow this
advice, they can be accused of interfering and meddling for
spurious political and other reasons, and this is not conducive to
confidence, nor is it positive for the development of our
country.There have been a number of examples of late, where
Government has done just that - meddled in the affairs of
parastatals for the wrong reasons.The Agribank saga is a case in
point.In this instance Minister of Finance Saara Kuugongelwa
Amadhila fired the board because they refused to appoint a person
not suitably qualified for the post of Chief Executive Officer.The
person the Minister wanted for the post in question was Deputy
Lands Minister, Isack Katali.This was just one example of blatant
interference and meddling in the affairs of a parastatal.In a
similar incident, the Roads Authority board faced the axe from
Works, Transport and Communications Minister, Moses Amweelo,
ostensibly because they refused to adhere to Government rules and
regulations on the employment of foreigners at the parastatal.Then
of course, there is the slightly more controversial case of the
likely dismissal of Nored CEO, Martin Heita, ostensibly for
'criticising the President'.Combined, these incidents only serve to
fuel uncertainty and hesitant management of these parastatals
because factors other than the smooth running of them, seems to
play a role in the dismissal of boards and-or CEOs.Constant changes
in management at many of the parastatals is also not conducive to
good performance of the SOE in particular, or the stability and
motivation of staff in general.Not spoken about openly, but still
probably key to the political interference by Government in the top
management of various SOEs, is the question of 'jobs for
comrades'.With elections just in sight, many have been critical of
the fact that the ruling party is rewarding some, while ensuring
that others, who may have aligned themselves with Swapo leaders who
have now fallen from favour, are excluded or omitted from vying for
positions or posts.This is truly unacceptable.Our parastatals could
be important revenue-generating institutions for the
country.However, apart from certain key exceptions which have known
stable and consistent management and lack of interference, most of
them simply can't get on with the job.We reiterate that it is
important that Government oversee proper financial management of
the SOEs because it is in the interests of the country and its
people, and it must continue to take action (as has been done on a
few occasions) against those CEOs and top officials who abuse their
posts; but they must refrain immediately from meddling for personal
political reasons.