NBC receives N$392 million funding from Govt

LOSS making state broadcaster, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), has been allocated a budget of about N$392 million for the 2023/24 financial year.

The NBC took up the biggest chunk from the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology’s N$651,4 million budget allocation.
“The NBC has been allocated an amount of N$310 million towards their operational budget and N$82 million towards their development budget for the upgrade of the remote rural broadcast networks, dilapidated studios and equipment,” said information minister Peya Mushelenga.

Mushelenga delivered the ministry’s budget motivation in parliament yesterday. According to the latest report by the auditor general, released in November 2022, the NBC’s accumulated losses stood at N$1,6 billion at the end of the 2019/2020 financial year.
In the report, auditor general Junias Kandjeke said the NBC continued to incur financial losses and could not generate sufficient cash flow to sustain its operations.

Kandjeke said the national broadcaster will have to rely on government handouts to continue its operations going forward.
He said NBC directors confirmed that the NBC could only continue business operations if the government guarantees adequate subsidies.
“The corporation is primarily dependent on receiving sufficient future government funding for the continuation of broadcasting operations and the settlement of its operations in the normal course of business,” Kandjeke said in the report.

INFORMATION COMMISSION

Meanwhile, the ministry has allocated N$20 million for the establishment of an Information Commission this year, to prepare for the full implementation of the Access to Information Act, which was signed into law last year by president Hage Geingob.

“The access to information legislation will ensure that our citizens have unhindered access to information that will enable them to make informed decisions about their lives and their livelihoods, allow them to participate in democratic processes, and enhance transparency and accountability, which are cornerstones in building public trust,” Mushelenga said.

Further, an amount of N$19,8 million has also been allocated for the development of the ministry’s policy and infrastructure development initiatives.
“This programme, among others, continues to formulate, review and assess the implementation of laws, policies and strategies pertaining to information communication technology (ICT),” Mushelenga said.

Mushelenga said the review of various ICT policies and possible consolidation into a uniform national ICT policy is on the cards.
In terms of ICT infrastructure development, the ministry will focus on coordinating national initiatives aimed at increasing coverage and accessibility of technology infrastructure and services for all citizens, he said.

“It is evident that the importance of ICT infrastructural development cannot be overstressed, hence our continued efforts to improve the establishment of such infrastructure in partnership with private sector players,” Mushelenga said.
The ministry will continue coordinating and monitoring the implementation of the national broadband policy, with the view of narrowing the digital gap.

He said the policy will be reviewed to include the Southern African Development Community’s 2025 broadband targets.