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07:34Last update on: 13 Aug 2013
The Namibian
Tue 13 Aug 2013


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Theft derails Mariental Reeds Project
WORK at the Mariental Reeds Project came to a standstill in April last year after allegations of misappropriation of funds by people involved in the project.
The project makes chairs, tables as well as shopping and clothing baskets out of reeds collected from the Fish River near Mariental in the Hardap Region, and is aimed at creating employment for community members at the town.
Patrick Saal, treasurer of the project, told Nampa yesterday that one of the members, whom he did not want to name, allegedly withdrew N$1 000 from the project’s bank account.
The funds were generated from the sale of the handicrafts.
The member allegedly withdrew the money without consulting other members and converted it to his own use.
“Right now, the project is not operational anymore because we do not have money for transport to collect reeds from the river. When I approached the person who withdrew the money, he promised to pay it back but he never did. We need financial help, as there is only N$230 left in the account,” Saal said.
He further said that the project started with 30 members in 2009 and was sponsored by the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) and the Namibia Development Trust (NDT) with an amount of N$30 000.
“Only eight members remain because the other people lost interest and left the project. The sales from the products were also low, which discouraged a lot of people,” Saal explained.
The councillor for the Mariental Urban Constituency, Barakias Namwandi, said he had no idea that the project’s money was misused.
“That is news to me. I have no idea that the money is missing, and the project has stopped. But, we have money coming in for that project from the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF),” said the councillor.
The Chief Control Officer (CCO) of the Mariental Urban Constituency, Agab Skrywer also said he was not aware that money had gone missing, but confirmed that the EIF promised to avail N$361 000 to the project.
“They (EIF) said they will transfer the money on condition that the project is registered as a co-operative. So, I hope the project’s leadership will register it, and get the money. The constituency office is out of that project because it has people who run it,” Skrywer stated.
Project manager Mekondjo Nangolo could not be reached for comment as his cellphone was switched off. – Nampa
The project makes chairs, tables as well as shopping and clothing baskets out of reeds collected from the Fish River near Mariental in the Hardap Region, and is aimed at creating employment for community members at the town.
Patrick Saal, treasurer of the project, told Nampa yesterday that one of the members, whom he did not want to name, allegedly withdrew N$1 000 from the project’s bank account.
The funds were generated from the sale of the handicrafts.
The member allegedly withdrew the money without consulting other members and converted it to his own use.
“Right now, the project is not operational anymore because we do not have money for transport to collect reeds from the river. When I approached the person who withdrew the money, he promised to pay it back but he never did. We need financial help, as there is only N$230 left in the account,” Saal said.
He further said that the project started with 30 members in 2009 and was sponsored by the Desert Research Foundation of Namibia (DRFN) and the Namibia Development Trust (NDT) with an amount of N$30 000.
“Only eight members remain because the other people lost interest and left the project. The sales from the products were also low, which discouraged a lot of people,” Saal explained.
The councillor for the Mariental Urban Constituency, Barakias Namwandi, said he had no idea that the project’s money was misused.
“That is news to me. I have no idea that the money is missing, and the project has stopped. But, we have money coming in for that project from the Environmental Investment Fund (EIF),” said the councillor.
The Chief Control Officer (CCO) of the Mariental Urban Constituency, Agab Skrywer also said he was not aware that money had gone missing, but confirmed that the EIF promised to avail N$361 000 to the project.
“They (EIF) said they will transfer the money on condition that the project is registered as a co-operative. So, I hope the project’s leadership will register it, and get the money. The constituency office is out of that project because it has people who run it,” Skrywer stated.
Project manager Mekondjo Nangolo could not be reached for comment as his cellphone was switched off. – Nampa
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