Affirmative epositioning (AR) leader Job Amupanda says political manoeuvring is at play in the roll-out of the N$257-million National Youth Development Fund (NYDF).
The fund’s implementation is chaotic and disjointed, he says.
This is contained in a letter Amupanda wrote yesterday, calling for prime minister Elijah Ngurare to intervene.
This comes after various regional governors’ offices announced deadlines for applications to access the fund.
Amupanda in the letter described this move as not in the best interests of the people, considering the time frame.
The final date for the submission of NYDF applications in the Khomas and Oshana regions is 25 August, while the deadline for the Hardap and Oshikoto regions is 21 August, with the Ohangwena region setting the due date on 18 August.
The Erongo region will facilitate public consultations at a date still to be announced across its seven constituencies.
President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah recently announced the launch of the fund, which is to be rolled out in all 14 regions.
“This sample of four regions is an illustration of the chaotic and disorganised implementation of the more than N$200-million fund. This is not supposed to happen in a unitary state,” Amupanda wrote.
The implementation of the fund clearly falls outside the directions of Article 18, he said.
“I bring these matters to your attention with unbroken confidence that you will urgently intervene, thus negating the need on our part to seek recourse elsewhere on behalf of youth who are being treated differently by the government purely on the basis of the region of their birth,” he said.
Amupanda said according to his information, political and factional manoeuvring surrounded the NYDF even before it was announced.
Executive director in the Office of the Prime Minister Gladice Pickering yesterday said the prime minister has received the letter and will respond to Amupanda.
Meanwhile, Ministry of Finance spokesperson Wilson Shikoto says the deadline is set for 25 August for applications through the governor’s office, and the fund will be launched in September.
“Misinformation was detected. We are working on giving the correct information.
The due date alluded to is given by the region for them to prepare themselves to submit as requested. After the fund is launched, everyone who meets the criteria can apply,” he says.
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