ACC Must Check This Out

I READ with particular interest in the New Era newspaper dated Friday January 19 2007 about several vacancies that exist in the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources.

Of particular interest is the advertised position of Director: Aquaculture (Grade 4BL1) where the basic requirements are a Bsc (Hons) coupled with three years’ experience. These same requirements where asked by the Ministry for the position of Fisheries Biologist (Grade 3AL1) in the same newspaper of January 2007.According to the Public Service Manual on senior positions particularly Director positions in any public organisation, the basic requirements are a B-degree (or equivalent qualification) plus at least nine years experience of which the majority should be in a senior position.It is of particular concern that such a senior position be advertised with such low requirements, given the fact that Aquaculture is supposed to be Namibia’s answer to poverty alleviation and food security.Even the position of Deputy Director: Aquaculture is held by a Doctor (Dr Ekkehard Klingenhoefer).It is shocking that the senior office-bearers who are supposed to uphold the law are taking advantage of it by advancing their own agendas.I call upon Mr Noa to look into this, as it is rumoured that this particular position has already got a predetermined candidate, a young lady who is favoured by both the PS and the Minister of Fisheries.Hence, the reason for lowering the requirements to enable her to qualify and this is tantamount to corruption! Where is the Professional Autonomy that Senior Government Officials are supposed to uphold? How can we as a young nation afford to give top positions especially in this Directorate that is supposedly the key to National food Security and poverty alleviation? It is important that we carefully consider the actions of these office bearers who are rewriting laws they are supposed to uphold.In the same light I also want to reiterate the fact that this is not the first time the Ministry of Fisheries is doing this.In a similar incident last year they advertised two positions for Senior Fisheries Biologists, and again they had two predetermined candidates (who were the only ones short-listed for interviews for the positions) one of whom is rumoured to be in the running for the top job.We want the ACC to investigate the methods used by the Ministry of Fisheries to give top positions to only those that are more favoured, and others are not even considered! Simaneka Negumbo OshakatiThese same requirements where asked by the Ministry for the position of Fisheries Biologist (Grade 3AL1) in the same newspaper of January 2007.According to the Public Service Manual on senior positions particularly Director positions in any public organisation, the basic requirements are a B-degree (or equivalent qualification) plus at least nine years experience of which the majority should be in a senior position.It is of particular concern that such a senior position be advertised with such low requirements, given the fact that Aquaculture is supposed to be Namibia’s answer to poverty alleviation and food security.Even the position of Deputy Director: Aquaculture is held by a Doctor (Dr Ekkehard Klingenhoefer).It is shocking that the senior office-bearers who are supposed to uphold the law are taking advantage of it by advancing their own agendas.I call upon Mr Noa to look into this, as it is rumoured that this particular position has already got a predetermined candidate, a young lady who is favoured by both the PS and the Minister of Fisheries.Hence, the reason for lowering the requirements to enable her to qualify and this is tantamount to corruption! Where is the Professional Autonomy that Senior Government Officials are supposed to uphold? How can we as a young nation afford to give top positions especially in this Directorate that is supposedly the key to National food Security and poverty alleviation? It is important that we carefully consider the actions of these office bearers who are rewriting laws they are supposed to uphold.In the same light I also want to reiterate the fact that this is not the first time the Ministry of Fisheries is doing this.In a similar incident last year they advertised two positions for Senior Fisheries Biologists, and again they had two predetermined candidates (who were the only ones short-listed for interviews for the positions) one of whom is rumoured to be in the running for the top job.We want the ACC to investigate the methods used by the Ministry of Fisheries to give top positions to only those that are more favoured, and others are not even considered! Simaneka Negumbo Oshakati